Activity provider: City Wonders Ltd.
Day trip

Crypts, Catacombs & Dark Heart of Rome Supersaver Tour

4.6 / 5

36 reviews

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    Day trip

    Crypts, Catacombs & Dark Heart of Rome Supersaver Tour

    Activity provider: City Wonders Ltd.

    From US$ 88.91 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
    Reserve now & pay later
    Reserve now & pay later to book your spot without any charges today. Learn more
    Duration 489 minutes
    Check availability to see starting times.
    Skip the ticket line
    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
    • You are required to bring and wear a mask

    Select participants and date

    Participants

    Date

    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

    • It is the responsibility of all visitors to ensure they check and comply with the official COVID-19 travel advice and restrictions on each country's government website. The tour provider will not be held responsible for refused access to museums and tourist attractions and no refund will be due.
    • 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 36 reviews

    Review summary

    • Guide
      5/5
    • Transportation
      4.6/5
    • Value for money
      4.4/5
    • Safety
      4.9/5

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    We only got to see 2 of the three catacombs due to a funeral at one of the churches that houses that catacomb, but were advised that a portion is being refunded because of that. There are also no photos allowed inside of the tombs - possibly due to the damaging effects of the flash to the frescos. The first catacomb did not have any remains with exception of one spot. A lot fo background information on the burial process along with wonderful paintings. The next was an active monastery where the remains were pieced together into artwork. Our tour guide, Julieta was very informative. The dark heart tour was 3 hours later and on the otherside of Central Rome. This was a walking tour to several spots with stories of dark/gruesome moments in Romes past that ends at Castel Sant'Angelo with the most gruesome story. For this part of the tour I suggest that one use the restroom prior as well as bring some water as you are continually walking and not any public restrooms at the end.

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    September 20, 2021

    G
    Gary Verified booking

    Helpful?

    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
    Artur – Poland Verified booking

    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
    Christopher – United Kingdom Verified booking

    Helpful?

    Product ID: 49210