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Crypts and catacombs with ghost and mystery walking tour

Crypts and Catacombs and Dark Heart of Rome

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Crypts and catacombs with ghost and mystery walking tour

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Crypts and catacombs with ghost and mystery walking tour

Free cancellation

Place: Rome

Duration: up to 8 hours 15 minutes

Language: English

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Do this because

Visit the famous Capuchin 'Bone Chapel' an underground chapel
Step back in time at the Basilica of San Martino ai Monti
Explore ancient tunnels and artwork in the 2nd-century Catacombs of Rome
Enjoy tales you won't hear on other tours about funeral rites, murders, mystery, and executions that took place through the centuries

What to expect

This tour will take you underground, exploring the insolit part of history of Rome, up to the core of this ancient city.

We will start with a tour of the Crypts and Catacombs. This extensive network of tunnels snaking beneath the city dates all the way back to the 2nd century AD. They were once both a burial ground and a hiding place for the first Christians in Rome. Established in the days when Nero was famed for torturing Christians, the tunnels became a place for refuge as much as for burials and celebrations.

The tour continues to the rarely-visited ancient Basilica of San Martino ai Monti. A less-known church in the center of Rome. The current church dates from the Carolingian era, but remains of a 3rd-century pillared hall have been located below and adjacent to it. Discover the relics of Saints Artemius, Paulina and Sisinnius under the major altar where are preserved; and admire the magnificent frescos painted by famous artists such as Pietro Testa, Giannangiolo Canini and many others.

We end this part of our tour on a high note, with a visit to the Capuchin Crypt, known locally as the ‘Bone Chapel’. It was here that the Capuchin monks have used the bones of 4,000 of their brothers to decorate the walls and ceilings. In this scenario we can only ask ourselves: is this art or morbidity? Either way, this is something you will never forget.

At this point we will have some free time to enjoy a late lunch, dinner or appetizer or go for a stroll in the historical center of Rome, experiencing the city at sunset.

As darkness sets in over Rome, a different city comes to light – a city of legends and mystery, where thousands of years of history left a story behind every stone.

Having gone through the Middle Ages and the Inquisition, Rome has many stories to tell that are far from the average bedtime tale. Your knowledgeable English-speaking storytellers, will guide you to the River Tiber and wander across piazzas, all the while telling you about unknown stories of murders, executions, and betrayals.

You will see the house of the most notorious murderer ever to work in the Eternal City and visit the bridge that, according to the legend, is haunted by the ghost of the female Pope.

For an hour and a half, your guide will take you back in time to a city that burned heretics like spit roasted pigs and cured its crime problems by hanging pictures of the Virgin Mary on every corner.

Guided tours of Crypts & Catacombs and Dark Heart of Rome last respectively 3.5hrs and 1.5hrs, with a break in between. No transfer is provided.

Tours inside Capuchin Crypts we will run with audioguides instead of a guided tour as per new rules imposed by the Capuchin Crypts
The Dark Heart of Rome walking tour ends around 9.30pm/10.45pm (depending on the season) at Castel Sant’Angelo from where public transport and taxis are easily accessible
This tour involves a fair amount of walking, comfortable shoes are recommended
We regret that we are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or mobility impairments on our tours. We regret that we are unable to accommodate pushchairs or strollers on our tours
Entrance into churches requires a strict dress code. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. The tour operator cannot be held responsible for refused entry due to improper dress

What’s included

Tours as per description

Expert, English-speaking guide

Tickets for the Catacombs of Rome, Basilica of San Martino ai Monti and The Capuchin 'Bone Chapel'

All transfers in an air-conditioned coach (only for Crypts & Catacombs Tour)

Guided storytelling tour of Rome's historic center

What’s not included

Gratuities

Hotel pick-up and drop-off

Transfers between two tours

Food and drinks

Cancellation policy

Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the experience begins.

Booking fee

Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.

Location

Via della Purificazione, 8, 00187 Roma RM, Italy

Meeting point:

Crypts and Catacombs: In the center of Piazza Barberini, by the large Triton (Tritone) fountain. Piazza Barberini is located at the metro stop Barberini on metro line A (red line).
Dark Heart of Rome: On the steps of the church San Andrea della Valle. Clients must arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.