Basilicas & Secret Underground Catacombs Tour - 4 PM with Pick Up
Enjoy a journey through the Basilicas, Catacombs and ancient streets of Rome! See the Holy Staircase and visit inside the Basilica of St. John in Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome and St. Mary Major, then proceed along the ancient Appian Way, passing the Chapel of Domine Quo Vadis before arriving at the Catacombs, the ancient underground cemeteries and hiding places of the Christians.
Highlights
- Basilica of St. John in Lateran (visit inside)
- Holy Staircase
- Catacombs of S. Callisto (visit inside, when closed it will be replaced with Catacombs of Santa Domitilla)
- St. Mary Major Basilica (visit inside)
What's included
- Transport
- Entrance tickets to Catacombs
- Professional guide
- Headsets
Overview
Rome’s churches are among the most beautiful and ancient in the Western world: spend an afternoon discovering some of them on this guided tour.
Wait us at your centrally located hotel and our driver will pick you up. You’ll reach our professional guide who’ll provide you with a convenient audio receiver and earphones, to make sure you won’t miss a single word.
We’ll visit Saint Mary Major, an ancient, stunning Basilica. It was built on the summit of the Esquiline Hill: its original architecture was classical, maybe to convey the idea the place represented the ancient Imperial as well as the Christian Rome. Despite several additional construction projects and damages, the Basilica retains the core of its original 442 AD structure.
Even more ancient, Saint John Lateran Basilica: the oldest public church in Rome as well as the highest-ranked papal major basilica. It stands over the remains of a military Roman imperial fort established in AD 193 that was later converted into a place of worship and suffered several damages due to earthquakes and fires: the stunning façade as it appears today was completed in 1735.
In the nearby, the Scala Sancta (the Holy Stairs): white marble steps encased in wooden ones.
According to Catholic tradition, they formed the staircase leading up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem on which Jesus stepped during his Passion.
And talking ancient, the Catacombs of St. Callixtus deserve a visit: these underground burial places, outside the walls of the city, were carved through tuff, a soft volcanic rock. More than fifty martyrs and early Popes were buried in this huge graveyard.
Additional Information
No sleeveless shirts, shorts or mini-skirts are allowed inside places of worship
In case of a worship event in S. Callisto, we will visit S. Domitilla catacombs
The Holy Stairs is a sacred area, we will visit it from the outside
We regret to inform that this tour is not suitable for guests that suffer of claustrophobia
We regret to inform that this tour is not suitable for guests with wheelchairs or with impaired mobility
Comfortable shoes suggested
Know before you go
Dress Code and Clothing Restrictions: In Rome, especially in places of worship and inside the Vatican Museums, it is strictly forbidden to bring strollers, bulky bags and umbrellas. Above-the-knee skirts and pants, low-cut clothing and sleeveless tops are never allowed in places of worship and inside the Vatican. Guests who fail to respect the attire requirements may be turned down at the entrance of the point of interest, therefore we suggest wearing or bringing appropriate clothes before the beginning of the tour.
Cancellation policy
Cancellations without penalties within 24 hours before clients arrival. 100% penalty from 24 hours and no-show
