San Senatore catacombs, Early Christian catacombs in Albano Laziale, Italy
The San Senatore catacombs are underground burial chambers that extend through a network of tunnels beneath the earth. The site once occupied a location previously used for extracting volcanic material.
The burial grounds were created in the late 300s when the early Christian community needed places for their dead. The location took advantage of pre-existing underground spaces that dated from earlier times.
The underground chambers display wall paintings from different periods that reflect the religious life of early Christians. Visitors can still see these artistic traces today, which document the beliefs and practices of the people buried here.
Access to the catacombs is not constantly open and requires advance planning. It is wise to contact the responsible authorities in town to arrange a visit time and learn the exact access conditions.
Remains of volcanic material were discovered on the grounds, showing that this place had been used for other purposes long before Christian times. The traces of this earlier use are visible in the walls and structures that can still be seen today.
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