The Rome Catacombs have become quite a popular destination for travelers visiting Rome. Though a little eerie, these underground burial chambers provide an excellent opportunity to venture outside the city walls and see ancient roads, walls, and more. You can see them during the day, but have you considered venturing down into these tombs at night? Here’s how to see the Rome Catacombs at night.
Pro Tip: Planning what to do on your trip to Rome? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. See our comprehensive guide to Rome for more planning resources, our top Rome Catacombs tours for a memorable trip, and how to visit the Rome Catacombs (all times of the day).
How To Visit the Rome Catacombs at Night
Seeing the Rome Catacombs at night is a completely different experience than exploring these sites during the day. If you’re into dark tourism, exploring the Rome Catacombs after hours has to be among the top things to do in Rome.
To access the catacombs at night, you have to reserve a guided tour. Check out our VIP Rome Catacombs night tour for an after-hours experience with great storytelling and an engaging guide you won’t soon forget.
Rome is filled with catacombs, the hidden spaces used and built by ancient Romans. But, what were they for? The first Christians during the Roman Empire were not easily accepted and often persecuted. So, they chose to keep practising their religion and built the catacombs as a safe haven.
Here, they felt free to pray and bury their dead without having to fear the Roman Empire. Many of the catacombs were decorated with frescoes and holy symbols to connect people with God. These frescos are still preserved in some catacombs and their colors and beauty attract people from all over the world.
Why Visit the Rome Catacombs After Hours?
Who wouldn’t want the thrilling experience of visiting ancient burial tombs filled with macabre art at night? It really is an exceptional experience and you’ll get to visit both the Priscilla Catacombs and the Capuchin Crypts with few crowds at night.
There’s more to these catacombs than you might think. Here’s what you can expect on our VIP Rome Catacombs night tour. Your guide will take you through the Capuchin Crypts and the Priscilla Catacombs.
Capuchin Crypts
The first stop on this tour will be the Capucin Crypts, located right under Piazza Barberini. Underneath the Church of Santa Maria della Concezione Cappuccini, you will find five chapels: Crypt of the Resurrection, Crypt of the Skulls, Crypt of the Pelvises, Crypt of the Leg Bones and Thigh Bones, and Crypt of the Three Skeletons. Filled with the bones of Capuchin friars, this eerie stop will set you up to continue your dark exploration of Rome at night.
From the Crypts, we will provide transportation to the Priscilla Catacombs. Here you will jump into a new dimension. Your guide will lead the way and show you the biggest catacomb in Rome.
The Priscilla Catacombs are located in the north of the city, on via Salaria more precisely. According to historians, this area is one of the largest areas used by ancient Romans both as a burial place and religious site. It’s still a mystery whether or not the body of noblewoman Priscilla is buried there.
Normally this site is open every day from 9 am to 12 pm and from 2 to 5 pm in the afternoon. However, when you join our Rome Catacombs night tour, you get VIP access to explore the “Queen of Catacombs'” 5 miles of burial space after hours.
Colosseum Underground Tour with Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
This is our most popular Colosseum tour due to the incredible access to non-public areas like the underground chambers. All admissions are included and it is lead by an English speaking licensed guided and Colosseum expert.
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Special Access Colosseum Arena Floor Tour Through the Gladiator’s Gate
You’ll enter the Colosseum through the back door entrance avoiding lines and crowds, which is ideal! You’ll step through the gladiator’s gate and your English-speaking Colosseum guide will bring the stories to life. Next, on to the Roman Forum. All admissions are included.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our Rome Guide for more info.
More Rome Catacombs
Don’t have the nerve to visit the catacombs at night? Only joking! If you’d prefer to visit the Rome Catacombs during the day, there are some other great ancient burial sites to see.
San Callisto Catacombs
Among the many catacombs, you might want to visit the San Callisto Catacombs located in via Appia Antica. Erected during the third century, the San Callisto Catacombs are among the largest of the burial and religious places in Rome.
Another important site is the Domitilla Catacombs. Erected during the first century, these catacombs are the largest burial site ever found in Rome. Join our Rome Catacombs tour with Capuchin Crypts to visit the Domitilla Catacombs during the day.
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