The Catacombs of Rome are former passageways that served as burial grounds for Jewish, pagan, and Roman citizens from the 2nd century to the 5th century. Built as a solution for the lack of burial space of early Christians, the Catacombs consisted of multiple underground passageways that extended for several kilometers. Niches are then dug that are scattered throughout the area. The corpses were wrapped in a sheet and covered with marble and clay gravestones. The hidden burial grounds were a way for closeted Christians to bury their dead with Christian symbols since it was a time of Christian persecution. Even during the end of the persecutions, the catacombs remained to be used for burials.

There are over sixty catacombs with only five open to the public. These are the Catacombs of San Sebastiano, San Callisto, Priscilla, Domitilla, and Sant’Agnese. The five sites have varying opening and closing times, so it’s best to book a tour in advance.