History: the "Queen of the catacombs"
The Catacombs of Priscilla, on the Via Salaria, rank among the oldest and most revered in Rome, so much so that antiquity itself named them the "Queen of the catacombs" (Regina catacumbarum). Carved out from the 2nd century onward, they hold extraordinary witnesses to early Christianity, including what is considered the oldest image of the Virgin Mary with the Child. They are cared for by a community of Benedictine nuns and can only be visited on a guided tour.
The name most likely comes from Priscilla, a noble Roman matron tied to the senatorial family that donated the land for these burials. The galleries, cut on several levels into the tuff, received thousands of Christians, popes and martyrs of the first centuries. Unlike so many monuments standing in full daylight, here you descend into the heart of underground Rome, where the faith of the first Christians left marks that still move visitors today.
What makes these catacombs unique
- The oldest image of the Virgin Mary with the Child, of extraordinary value.
- The Greek Chapel (Cappella Greca), with strikingly beautiful early Christian frescoes.
- The Velatio fresco (the "Veiling"), one of the most celebrated scenes here.
- The authentic atmosphere of Rome's earliest Christian age.
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What to see
A visit takes you through underground galleries carved into the tuff, where the first Christians buried their dead and left behind some of the oldest and most precious frescoes in all of Christianity. Here is what not to miss on the guided tour.
The Greek Chapel
One of the most famous spaces here is the Greek Chapel (Cappella Greca), a room decorated with early Christian frescoes and stuccowork, named for several inscriptions written in Greek. It holds biblical and symbolic scenes of extraordinary documentary and artistic value, a true "gallery" of the faith in its earliest days.
The Velatio fresco
Among the best-known images is the Velatio (the "Veiling"), a scene that shows a young woman in three distinct moments, interpreted in several ways (a consecration, the stages of life, a ceremony). It is one of the most debated and captivating frescoes on the site, a symbol of early Christian art.
The earliest image of the Virgin Mary
The "treasure" of the catacombs is what is regarded as the oldest known depiction of the Madonna and Child, shown alongside a figure pointing to a star (often identified as the prophet). It is an image of immense historical and devotional value, worth the visit on its own. We cover it in depth here: the earliest image of the Virgin Mary.
The galleries and the cubicula
Beyond the frescoes, the tour leads you through:
- The long galleries (ambulacra) carved across several levels.
- The cubicula, small burial chambers reserved for families.
- The loculi, the niches where the dead were laid to rest.
- Spaces tied to popes and martyrs of the first centuries.
A suggested order for the visit:
- Follow the guided tour along the galleries.
- Admire the Greek Chapel and its frescoes.
- Take in the Velatio fresco.
- Pause before the earliest image of the Virgin Mary.
- Understand the layout of cubicula and loculi.
Tickets and opening hours
The catacombs can be visited by guided tour only: a guide leads small groups through the underground galleries, telling the story of the site, its frescoes and its burials. This protects a fragile place and keeps you oriented inside a maze of tunnels. A visit usually lasts around 40-60 minutes.
Admission is by a modestly priced ticket, with full and reduced rates (for children and teens, for example). Guided tours are generally offered in several languages: it's worth confirming the schedule for tours in your language in advance. Prices are indicative, so check the official website.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Ticket | Modestly priced; full and reduced rates (children/teens) — indicative, check official site |
| Visit type | Guided tour only, in small groups |
| Duration | About 40-60 minutes |
| Languages | Several; confirm your language's schedule in advance |
| Opening days | Generally Tuesday-Sunday |
| Closing day | One per week (often Monday), plus possible seasonal closures |
| Schedule | Split (morning and afternoon) |
As a place of worship under careful protection, hours may change for holidays or religious celebrations, so always check the official website. Booking is recommended for groups and during high season.
How to get there
The Catacombs of Priscilla sit along Via Salaria, in the Trieste-Salario district, northeast of Rome's historic center. The entrance is usually at Via Salaria 430. It's a residential area, just a short hop from the Coppedè quarter and Villa Ada, the city's sprawling park.
By bus
The easiest option is the bus: several lines run along Via Salaria and stop near the entrance. From the center and from Termini, surface transit gets you to the area. Check the current route based on your starting point.
By metro (with a transfer)
There's no metro stop right outside the catacombs: the nearest are typically on Line B (the Termini/Castro Pretorio area) or on the lines heading north, from which you continue by bus. That's why, in this part of the city, buses and taxis/NCC are often handier than the metro.
By car and with a private driver (NCC)
The area is residential and has some parking, but traffic on Via Salaria can be heavy at peak hours. A private driver (NCC) makes the visit far easier: drop-off right at the entrance, with transfers and waiting time handled for you. It's ideal for pairing the Catacombs of Priscilla with the Coppedè quarter, Villa Ada, or another stop, skipping the dead time of public transit.
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Practical tips
- Check hours and language: confirm guided-tour times in advance, and reserve for groups or in high season.
- Dress comfortably: the galleries are cool and damp, even in summer; bring a light jacket.
- Respect the site: this is a sacred place and a burial ground; keep your tone and behavior appropriate.
- Limited photos: photography is often not allowed inside, for preservation reasons — follow the staff's instructions.
- Plan a manageable walk: the route covers stretches of galleries across several levels; it's doable but underground.
Suggested itinerary
The Catacombs of Priscilla pair well with:
- The Coppedè quarter, with its fairytale architecture.
- Villa Ada, one of Rome's largest parks.
- A visit to other catacombs on a themed itinerary through Christian Rome.
Which catacomb to choose
Rome has several catacombs open to visitors: beyond Priscilla, there are San Callisto, Domitilla, and San Sebastiano. To help you decide, see our guide the catacombs of Rome: which ones to visit.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Catacombs of Priscilla? Ancient Christian catacombs on the Via Salaria, known as the "Queen of the catacombs" and famous for the oldest image of the Virgin Mary and their early Christian frescoes. They are visited with a guide.
Why are they called the "Queen of the catacombs"? For their great age, their importance, and the treasures they hold, including the burials of popes and martyrs from the first centuries of Christianity.
Can you visit on your own? No: access is generally allowed only on a guided tour, both to protect the site and to keep visitors oriented in the underground galleries.
How much does it cost and what are the hours? The ticket is modestly priced, with full and reduced rates. They are generally open Tuesday through Sunday with a split schedule and one closing day (often Monday), with possible seasonal closures. Prices and hours are indicative: check the official website.
How long does the visit last? Usually about 40-60 minutes, walking the underground galleries with your guide.
What's the easiest way to get there? The bus along Via Salaria, which stops near the entrance. Alternatively, a private driver who drops you off right outside the catacombs, at Via Salaria 430.
What's so special about them? Above all, the oldest known image of the Virgin Mary with the Child, the Velatio fresco, and the frescoes of the Greek Chapel: exceptionally rare witnesses to early Christianity.
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