Crypts, Catacombs & Dark Heart of Rome Supersaver Tour

4.6 / 5

28 reviews

Crypts, Catacombs & Dark Heart of Rome Supersaver Tour

4.6

28 reviews

From $100.64 per person

Discover the real dark heart of Rome on this combination tour. Visit the ancient part of the city that’s buried beneath the busy streets and join in a nighttime adventure that leaves no stone unturned and unveils the Eternal City’s unseen history.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
COVID-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
Mobile ticketing
Use your phone or print your voucher
Duration 489 minutes
Starting time 2:30 PM
Skip the ticket line
Instant confirmation
Live tour guide
English

Experience

Highlights
  • Visit the famous Capuchin Bone Chapel, decorated with the bones of 4,000 monks
  • Step back in time at the Basilica of San Clemente
  • Tour the historic heart of Rome and hear secret stories behind some of the most famous sites
Full description
Delve into the unusual aspects of Rome’s history on 2 unique tours that introduce you to the ancient city's darker dimensions. Kick-off this full day with a crypts and catacombs tour that visits 3 unforgettable sites in the Eternal City. Your tour begins at the ancient Roman Catacombs. Dating back to the second century A.D. this extensive network of tunnels winds it way beneath the city. Established in the days when Nero was torturing Christians, the tunnels became a place of burial, as well as refuge and celebration. The next stop is the Basilica San Clemente, another site that few visitors ever see. Descend from a 12th century Basilica down through a huge 4th-century basilica, a 2nd-century sanctuary of the mysterious Mithraic cult and, finally, to ruins dating back to the reign of Nero and the Great Fire of 64 AD. Finish off this part of the tour with a visit to the Capuchin Crypt, known locally as the Bone Chapel. The Capuchin monks used the bones of 4,000 of their brothers to decorate the walls and ceilings. Between excursions, enjoy some free time to have dinner or go for a stroll in the historical center of Rome, taking in the magnificent sunset. As the sun sets over Rome a new city comes to life. Having survived the Middle Ages and the Inquisition, the city has stories to tell that are far from average bedtime tales. For 90 minutes you’ll wander through piazzas in the dark heart of Rome with an expert English-speaking storyteller, listening to stories of murders, executions, and betrayals. 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.
Includes
  • English-speaking expert guide
  • Small group tour (maximum of 22 people)
  • Admission to the Catacombs of Rome, Basilica of San Clemente, and the Capuchin Bone Chapel
  • Transfers by air-conditioned coach
  • Guided storytelling tour of Rome’s historic center
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pick-up/drop off service
  • Transfers between the 2 tours
  • Food and beverages
Not suitable for
  • People with mobility impairments
  • People with claustrophobia
  • Wheelchair users
COVID-19 precautions
Safety measures in place
  • The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds
Traveler requirements
  • Customers are required to bring and wear masks

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Prepare for the activity

Meeting point

Afternoon Tour Meeting time: 14:15 Start time: 14:30 Location: Piazza Barberini, at the Triton Fountain in the center of the square GPS coordinates: 41.903658 - 12.488498 Evening Tour Meeting time: 21:00 Start time: 21:15 Location: The steps of the Church of San Andrea della Valle located on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, about 150 meters from Largo di Torre Argentina on the left-hand side heading towards the Tiber River. The church is adjacent to Piazza Vidoni. GPS coordinates: 41.896446 - 12.47438

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Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes

Not allowed

  • Shorts
  • Baby strollers
  • Short skirts
  • Sleeveless shirts

Know before you go

  • Comfortable shoes are highly recommended for this tour.
  • Unfortunately, the tour cannot accommodate guests with wheelchairs, mobility impairments, pushchairs, or strollers.
  • Appropriate dress is required to enter some sites on this tour. Knees, shoulders, and backs must be covered.
  • The small group nature of the tour (maximum of 20 people) means that you will be able to ask your expert guides any questions that come to mind.
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 28 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    5.0/5
  • Transportation
    5.0/5
  • Value for money
    4.5/5
  • Safety
    4.9/5
Sort by

Very interesting , the guides were very good , informative ( on both parts ). First part , in my opinion , is the must when you are in Rome , the second - gives another point of view on places you visit during a day . I highly recomand this tour.

September 3, 2020

A
Reviewed by Artur – Poland

Helpful?

We were told (byGYG) 21:00 for the night scheduled meeting, this was incorrect and we went for 20:00.(just made it in time) Such an amazing experience, fantastic guides Alan and his colleague(American) The guides were very helpful, friendly and really enthusiastic. And made the experience so enjoyable. I cannot recommend this tour enough partly because the Bassilica of Saint Clemente is a must see! The American tour guide which delivered the dark heart of Rome part was absolutely fantastic.. he is so enthusiastic and would hope to be given a guide again by either of these representatives.

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November 29, 2019

C
Reviewed by Christopher – United Kingdom

Helpful?

Brilliant tour and definitely worth doing (particularly if you want a day away from the heat as nice and cool in the catacombs!) Guide for first part (Jon) was entertaining and informative. The museum is very eerie and interesting to see. The only negative part was the second part of the tour for the dark heart tour in the evening. We were told 7.45pm on our confirmation so once the first tour ended, we rushed across the city and had a quickly dinner to get there, only to find it was a 9pm start so felt we had rushed for nothing when we could’ve enjoyed a leisurely stroll and dinner. Luckily we rang the office number and managed to find out it was later and once we had the tour it was really interesting and nice to see a different part of Rome. It didn’t finish until almost 11pm though and it says 9.30pm on confirmation, so we ended up quite tired today as had booked another tour with an early start! Would recommend though.

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April 26, 2018

M
Reviewed by Mark – United Kingdom

Helpful?

Organized by
City Wonders Ltd.

Product ID: 49210