Rome, known as the Eternal City, is famed for its ruins, monuments, basilicas and piazzas. However, beneath its bustling streets and historic edifices lies a hidden world that offers an even deeper connection to its ancient past. This blog article delves into Rome’s subterranean treasures, including its catacombs, underground temples, ancient aqueducts, and sewers.
The catacombs were created as subterranean burial places primarily for Christians and Jews between the second and fifth centuries AD. During this period, burying the dead within city limits was prohibited by Roman law, necessitating the creation of these fascinating tunnel systems with underground cemeteries. Many tunnels are kilometers long and sometimes have four floors. The catacombs provided not just a final resting place but also a space for religious rituals and ceremonies during times of persecution.
In Rome, only a few of the many catacombs are open to the public, those of San Callisto, San Sebastiano, San Domitilla, San Agnese and San Priscilla. Booking a tour with a guide is the easiest way to visit the catacombs and monuments. It is recommended to wear comfortable footwear as you will be walking through underground tunnels.
The Catacombs of San Callisto, one of Rome’s largest and most significant, cover approximately 20 kilometers. Established in the mid-2nd century, they feature several remarkable crypts, including the Crypt of the Popes, where many early popes were interred.
Situated along the ancient Appian Way, the Catacombs of San Sebastiano are among Rome’s oldest. These catacombs are named after the Christian martyr Saint Sebastian and offer a glimpse into Rome’s early religious history.
Often referred to as the “Queen of the Catacombs,” the Catacombs of Priscilla are renowned for their exquisite frescoes that date back to the 2nd century. The artwork here includes some of the earliest known depictions of the Virgin Mary and the Magi (‘wise men’).
The catacombs are not merely burial sites; they are rich with early Christian art and inscriptions. These frescoes and symbols, such as the fish (Ichthys), the anchor, and the Good Shepherd, communicated faith and hope in the promise of resurrection to those who faced persecution.
Dedicated to the god Mithras, a deity popular among Roman soldiers, the Mithraeum were secretive underground temples used for worship and initiation rites. These enigmatic sites offer a fascinating look into the mystery religions that coexisted with early Christianity.Perhaps one of Rome’s most intriguing sites, the Basilica of San Clemente, reveals layers of history. Descending beneath the current 12th-century basilica, visitors find a 4th-century church and, even deeper, a 2nd-century Mithraeum and Roman buildings. This site exemplifies how Rome’s history is literally built upon itself.
One of the world’s oldest sewage systems, the Cloaca Maxima, is the great sewer in Rome that flows into the Tiber, it was essential to Rome’s sanitary needs. Initially constructed in the 6th century BC, it has been in use for millennia, a testament to Roman engineering prowess.
Rome’s aqueducts were marvels of ancient engineering, bringing fresh water from distant sources into the city. While many have crumbled, some remnants can still be explored today, offering insights into how this advanced infrastructure supported Rome’s growth and prosperity.
Archaeological work continues to uncover the secrets of Rome’s underground. Recent excavations have unveiled new sections of catacombs, hidden chambers, and forgotten tunnels, further enriching our understanding of ancient Rome.
Modern technology plays a crucial role in unearthing and preserving these subterranean wonders. Techniques such as ground-penetrating radar and 3D modeling allow archaeologists to explore and document these fragile sites without causing damage.Exploring Rome’s underground reveals a city beneath the city, a place where history is etched into every wall and tunnel. These hidden sites not only add depth to our understanding of Rome’s past but also offer an intriguing experience for the adventurous traveler. Next time you visit Rome, don’t just look around but look down and discover the secrets buried beneath its storied streets.
With a vast number of cultural treasures spread around the whole Eternal City, your short stay in Rome may need to change into a longer stay. However, we believe it’s all a matter of selection, and we’re here to help you make the most of your time in this wonderful city. And what better place to start than the astonishing and mysterious Catacombs of Priscilla reopened to the public?
Since Roman sculptures bear a close resemblance to those by ancient Greeks, their aesthetic and artistic qualities are considered indisputable and unsurpassable. After all, after so many centuries they still fail to amaze, leaving visitors of the Eternal City breathless, inspired and craving for more.
Rome is Italy’s most populous city and arguably the origin of civilization as we know it. As you might expect, the city still celebrates an impressive bouquet of holidays and festivals. While visiting Rome you’ll want to embrace the unexpected (keep your eyes, ears, and nose open at all times) but here are a few things you might stumble upon while negotiating the cobblestones this summer.
By August 15th, average highs in Rome will have been above 30 degrees Celcius for two months (that’s 86 Farenheit, for my homeboys), and Romans are more than glad when Ferragosto, a truly unique holiday, finally signals the go-ahead to pile in their cars and leave the boiling city behind for a few weeks. But before leaving, they throw a massive citywide party that brings every woman, man, child and dog into the streets and squares, guaranteeing great memories for the weeks to come.
Rome’s music scene, more often than not, happens beyond the historic center – more open to rooted residents than to new visitors. However, there are plenty of musical surprises to find across the city from trendy to traditional venues to especially imaginative street musicians. With some foresight, even those places furthest afield will be worth the effort to know.
Countless films have depended on Rome as a backdrop for narratives that just wouldn’t fit anywhere else in the world, and the city has borne and fostered some of the world’s most renowned filmmakers. Today, Rome celebrates the art of film through top-notch festivals catering to every audience and covering every genre, from blockbuster to avant-garde.
It’s been a while since Leonardo, Michelangelo and other legendary Ninja Turtles were swinging their brushes in Italy, but the art scene is very much alive and well in Rome. If you’re an art aficionado, shopping for a high-end souvenir, or just cruising for open-bar gallery parties, you’ll need to know where to start.
An amble through the streets surrounding Piazza Navona seeds the imagination with a healthy dose of architectural theater. Forming a rough triangle between Ponte Cavour, Ponte Amedeo and Piazza Navona – I especially recommend our apartments in this area for those new to Rome. Being within the ancient city while also among sumptuous, Baroque palaces stimulates the mind to induce a cinematic feeling of living in a film. Here are some of my favorite alcoves that distinguish this neighborhood of heady grandeur.
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