Guided tour of the Catacombs of San Callisto and visit with audio guide of the Lateran Complex

The Catacomb of S. Callixtus extends between the Via Appia Antica and the Via Ardeatina and is, according to sources, the oldest official cemetery of the Christian community in Rome. The complex takes its name from the deacon Callisto who, under Pope Zephyrinus (199-217), was in charge of the administration of the cemetery and who, having become pope (217-222), greatly enlarged it.

The Lateran Complex includes several places of great interest: the Basilica with its Cloister, the Baptistery and the Holy Stairs which encloses the Papal Chapel of the Sancta Sanctorum. Wanted by the emperor Constantine after his conversion and the victory over Maxentius, it was consecrated in 324 AD. And it is for this reason that it is defined the mater et caput of all the churches of Rome and of the world. This Basilica is the Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome and the seat of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope.

Via Appia Antica 110 / Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano

Price

€ 23,00

Duration

3 hours

Description

The Catacomb of S. Callixtus develops in some points even on five floors and its galleries have a development of over 10 kilometers. In 1854 the archaeologist Giovanni Battista de Rossi discovered the crypt of the popes, which housed the burials of the popes who reigned between 230 and 283. Nine popes and three bishops were buried in this tomb. In a contiguous environment is the burial of St. Cecilia, a Roman matron who tradition remembers as the one who took care to give a worthy burial to so many Roman martyrs.

The Lateran Complex constitutes a unique testimony of the history of Christianity.  At the center of the complex there is the Basilica dedicated to the SS. Salvatore and the SS. John the Baptist and John the Evangelist. In its heart was the Patriarch, the seat of the Popes until the early 1300s. Upon returning from exile in Avignon, the residence of the Popes then moved to the Vatican. Constantine's mother brought the Praetorium Stairway here from Jerusalem, which Jesus walked through during his trial. In one of her chapels, the Sancta Sanctorum, the most sacred relics of Christianity were kept.

Advantages

  • Guaranteed access by reservation
  • Official guide of the Catacombs of Saint Callixtus in the available languages 
  • Audio guide for the Lateran Complex
  • Receive your tickets by email

Included

  • Guided tour of the Catacombs of Saint Callixtus in the selected language.
  • Visit with multi-lingual audio guide of the Lateran Complex (includes Basilica, Baptistery, Scala Santa and Sancta Sanctorum)

Not included

  • Transportation to / from the Catacombs of San Callisto
  • Transportation to / from the Lateran Complex
  • Physical guide for the Lateran Complex

Information and reception

  • Adult ticket + 17 years € 23,00
  • Reduced ticket 7-16 years € 18,00

IMPORTANT: Always start your visit from the Catacombs of San Callisto. If you don't have enough time you can visit the Lateran Complex also the following day.

  • Entrance of Lateran Palace: located on the right side of the main facade of Saint John in Lateran Basilica 

From Monday to Saturday: 9:00 am  - 16:30 pm

  • Cloister of the Basilica of St John Lateran, left aisle.

Sunday: 9:00 am  - 16:30 pm

Opening hours of the Lateran Complex

  • Basilica San Giovanni in Laterano: open every day from 9:00 to 16:30
  • Cloister: available every day from 9.00 to 16.30
  • Lateran Baptistery: open every day from 9:00 to 17:00
  • Scala Santa and the Papal Chapel of the Sancta Sanctorum: open from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 17:00. Sunday from 15:00 to 17:00

Audio guide languages: Italian, English, French, Spanish, German

For the guided tour of the Catacombs of Saint Callixtus:

  • Given the specific nature of the places, there are specific restrictions on visits by people with limited mobility.
  • However, visitors are advised to bring appropriate shoes for an ancient and not always flat floor, and according to the seasons, suitable clothing for the temperatures of the underground.
  • Inside the catacomb, photography and video shooting are prohibited. Smoking is prohibited inside the monuments

Available languages: Italian, English, French, Spanish, German.

How to get there

Catacombs of Saint Callixtus

Address: Via Appia Antica, 110

  • Metro A (direction Anagnina) to Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano, continue with bus 218 (direction Ardeatina) and get off at the Fosse Ardeatine stop. The entrance to the Catacombs is opposite.
  • Metro B (direction Laurentina) to the Colosseo or Circo Massimo stop (bus stop: Terme Caracalla / Porta Capena). From here continue with bus 118 (towards Appia / Villa Dei Quintili) to the Catacombe di San Callisto stop (Via Appia Antica, 110).

 

Lateran complex

Address: Piazza San Giovanni In Laterano

Metro: line A, San Giovanni stop (5 minutes walk from the station)

Open Bus Vatican & Rome: Stop n ° 10 San Giovanni in Laterano

€ 23,00

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