On the Via Appia Antica in Rome are some of the most important catacombs in the city. Their history begins back in the second century and ends three centuries later, specifically until the first half of the fifth century. At first they were built as a burial place. However, during periods when there was religious persecution, these places became a meeting place for the faithful, of devotion and celebrations in which they remembered the martyrs.
In the Via Appia area, the most important catacombs are those of San Calixto, San Sebastián and Santa Domitila. All three can be covered, but always on a guided tour . It is important that before visiting them you inform yourself of the opening hours and days, since they are open to the public but alternatively according to the time of year.
Those of San Calixto are the most famous, as well as the largest. In the image above you can see one of its corridors. It is said that in the 20 kilometers it has, half a million graves have been found. Two of the most important things in these catacombs are the crypt in which seven pope martyrs were buried in the 3rd century, and the tomb of the martyr Santa Cecilia.
On the other hand, the Catacombs of San Sebastián and Santa Domitila are not so important, but they are still interesting. The first of them has a church in which the arrows with which they killed San Sebastián are kept. In addition, you can visit three mausoleums, inside which you can see various frescoes and epigraphs. Those of Santa Domitila also have Christian frescoes on their walls and the underground Church of Saints Nereus and Aquileus, in addition to the Mausoleum of the Aedeatine Graves.