Catacomb of Via Anapo, Archaeological catacomb site along Via Salaria Nova, Rome, Italy
The Catacomb of Via Anapo is an underground burial complex in Rome featuring a network of tunnels and chambers with carved niches and religious decorations. The site contains multiple levels of passageways connecting various grave spaces throughout its structure.
The cemetery originated in the third century AD as a burial place for Rome's early Christian community. Its discovery came by chance in 1578 when workers extracting volcanic material encountered the underground chambers.
The burial chambers display frescoes showing scenes from the Old and New Testament, representing early Christian beliefs and artistic practices of those who were laid to rest here.
Visiting requires advance reservations through official contacts at +39 06 4465610 or protocollo@arcsacra.va, as access is by guided tour only. Plan ahead as tours operate on a set schedule and spaces are limited.
The site preserves its original third-century layout with a main gallery branching into secondary tunnels that served specific burial groups. This organized design reveals how early Christians methodically expanded their underground burial spaces over time.
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