A journey through subterranean Christian Rome

A visit to the Catacombs of Priscilla 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.

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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.

How to plan your visit

  1. Follow the guided tour along the galleries
  2. Admire the Greek Chapel and its frescoes
  3. Take in the Velatio fresco
  4. Pause before the earliest image of the Virgin Mary
  5. Understand the layout of cubicula and loculi

Frequently asked questions

What is there to see at the Catacombs of Priscilla? The underground galleries, the Greek Chapel with its early Christian frescoes, the Velatio fresco, and the oldest known image of the Madonna and Child.

What is the Greek Chapel? A room decorated with early Christian frescoes and Greek inscriptions (hence the name), filled with biblical and symbolic scenes of great value.

What is the Velatio? A celebrated fresco depicting a young woman in three moments, interpreted in several ways: one of the most debated and evocative images on the site.

Where is the earliest Madonna? Inside the catacombs; it is considered the oldest known depiction of the Virgin Mary and Child. We dedicate a separate guide to it.

Is there a lot of walking underground? The guided tour covers stretches of galleries across several levels; the route is manageable but cool and damp, so dress comfortably.

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Article #485 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026