Twenty kilometers of galleries beneath the Appia

The Catacombs of San Callisto are Rome's most famous and monumental underground cemetery: a network of galleries on multiple levels, roughly twenty kilometers long, carved into the tufa rock along the Via Appia Antica from the 2nd century AD onward. Dozens of early popes were buried here — in the celebrated Cripta dei Papi — alongside hundreds of thousands of Christians. Descending into these galleries, among the burial niches, early Christian frescoes, and symbols cut into stone, is an immersion into the origins of Christianity that stays with you.

What you'll see on the visit

The visit is guided only and follows part of the galleries, including:

  • The Cripta dei Papi: the underground "little Vatican," where nine 3rd-century popes were buried.
  • The Crypt of St. Cecilia: linked to the martyr, with traces of frescoes and mosaics.
  • The Cubicles of the Sacraments: chambers with some of the oldest Christian frescoes (baptism, the Eucharist).
  • The niches and symbols: the fish, the anchor, the Good Shepherd — the secret language of the first Christians.

Why San Callisto in particular

They take their name from the deacon (later pope) Callisto, who in the 3rd century organized them as the official cemetery of Rome's Christian community. They're the key to understanding the whole phenomenon of the catacombs — and the single most representative complex to visit if you only choose one.

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Tickets, hours, and tips

  • Ticket: roughly €10 (reduced for children), guided visit included. Check current prices and hours on the catacombs' official website.
  • Visit: guided only, lasting about 30-45 minutes; several languages available.
  • Closures: generally closed one day a week (often Wednesday) and for a stretch in winter — check before you go.
  • Temperature: it's cool underground (around 15°C): bring a sweater.
  • Respect: this is a sacred burial site; dress and behave accordingly.

Frequently asked questions

What are the Catacombs of San Callisto? They are the largest and most important underground Christian cemetery in Rome, along the Via Appia: around 20 km of galleries on multiple levels, where the early popes (in the Cripta dei Papi) and hundreds of thousands of Christians were buried from the 2nd century onward.

How much does it cost to visit the Catacombs of San Callisto? The ticket is roughly €10 with a guided visit included, reduced for children. Check current prices and hours on the official website.

Can you visit the Catacombs of San Callisto on your own? No: access is by guided visit only (about 30-45 minutes), available in several languages. You can't wander the galleries freely.

When are the Catacombs of San Callisto closed? Usually one day a week (often Wednesday) and for a winter closure period. Dates vary: always check the official website before your visit.

What's the difference between San Callisto and the Catacombs of San Sebastiano and Domitilla? San Callisto are the largest and contain the Cripta dei Papi; San Sebastiano and Domitilla, nearby on the Appia, have their own distinctive features. → The Catacombs of Rome: which ones to visit

See also

Book a driver for the Catacombs and the Appia

Fixed price · Door to door · Can be paired with Cecilia Metella and the aqueducts

Article #248 · Category: Archaeology · Updated: May 2026