The Catacombs of San Callisto and San Sebastiano are two separate early Christian burial sites along Rome’s Via Appia Antica. Cut into soft volcanic rock outside the ancient city, their underground galleries offer a quieter, more intimate encounter with early Christian history than Rome’s grand basilicas.
San Callisto was a major cemetery of the early Roman Church. Its Crypt of the Popes held the tombs of several third-century popes, while frescoes use symbols such as fish and the Good Shepherd. San Sebastiano lies beneath the basilica of the same name and includes decorated pagan mausolea as well as Christian burial spaces. The word “catacomb” is thought to derive from the ancient name for this area, ad catacumbas.
Both sites are worth visiting for their cool, narrow passages, rows of burial niches and traces of ancient art. Don’t expect galleries full of bones: many remains were moved centuries ago. Above ground, the old Appian Way rewards a walk among ancient paving, umbrella pines and roadside ruins.
Visits are by guided tour, and opening days differ, so check each site’s current schedule before setting out. Bring a light layer for the cool underground temperature and wear sturdy shoes for steps and uneven floors. A bus towards the Appia Antica, such as the 118, can get you close; leave time to explore the road itself.