Catacombs of Rome, Archaeological site on Via Appia Antica, Rome, Italy
The Catacombs of Rome form a sprawling network of underground passages along the Via Appia Antica that served as burial grounds for thousands. The corridors cut through soft tufa stone and create multiple levels stacked upon each other, with walls holding small rectangular niches for bodies.
Between the 2nd and 5th centuries, Roman families began burying their dead outside the city walls in these tunnels because burials inside Rome were forbidden. Over time, Christian communities formed here and laid their deceased to rest in the same passages.
The burial chambers carry Greek and Latin inscriptions that remember people from different social classes and religious backgrounds. Visitors can still see symbols such as doves, anchors, and fish on the walls, expressing the beliefs of those laid to rest here.
Five of the underground sites remain open to visitors and offer guided tours, as free exploration is not permitted. The temperature inside stays cool year-round, so a light jacket is advisable even in summer.
Some passages contain medieval graffiti that show pilgrims visited the sites to honor martyr tombs. Certain chambers were later used as secret meeting places, though this was never their original purpose.
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