Catacombs of Rome

The Catacombs of Rome are underground tunnels and burial chambers created by early Christians and other communities, primarily between the 2nd and 5th centuries AD. Built beneath the city, they served as subterranean cemeteries, allowing for respectful burial practices and gatherings in secret times of persecution. These labyrinthine passages feature narrow corridors, chambers, and wall niches where the deceased were laid to rest. Today, the catacombs offer valuable insights into early Christian art, beliefs, and social history, and are popular historical and archaeological sites that highlight Rome’s layered past.