The Catacombs of San Callisto are among the largest and oldest catacombs in Rome. The first sections were built around the middle of the 2nd century, part of an underground cemetery covering more than 15 hectares. The complex spans 4 levels, reaching as deep as 20 meters below ground in places. The catacombs are named after Callixtus I, who was entrusted with managing the site as a deacon under Pope Zephyrinus before serving as Bishop of Rome himself from 217 to 222. Alongside many ordinary Christians, 9 popes are buried here.
History of the Catacombs of San Callisto
The site's history begins in the 2nd century, when Christians in Rome increasingly buried their dead in underground burial complexes along the Via Appia, driven by a lack of space and the threat of persecution. Pope Zephyrinus put his deacon Callixtus in charge of managing the cemetery, and Callixtus turned it into the official cemetery of the Roman church, later giving it his name as Bishop of Rome (217–222).
In the 3rd century, the Crypt of the Popes was built, the final resting place of nine bishops of Rome, including Pontian, Fabian, Lucius I, and Stephen I. Nearby lies the crypt of Saint Cecilia, later the patron saint of church music.
With the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, Christianity was legalized, and the catacombs gradually lost their original function as a burial site. Many relics were moved to churches above ground, with the remains of Saint Cecilia transferred in 821 AD to the church dedicated to her in Trastevere. Over the Middle Ages, the catacombs were increasingly forgotten.
In 1849, archaeologist Giovanni Battista de Rossi discovered a marble fragment in a vineyard between Via Appia and Via Ardeatina, inscribed "...ELIUS – MARTYR," which he identified as part of the funerary inscription of Pope Cornelius. Pope Pius IX then had the land purchased, and excavations began. In 1854, de Rossi uncovered the Crypt of the Popes, with further discoveries following. His systematic excavations laid the foundation for modern Christian archaeology.
Opening hours
There aren't set opening hours in the usual sense, since the catacombs can't be entered independently. Only guided tours are offered, in 6 different languages. Tours run daily except Wednesdays, from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, with a lunch break in between. The first German-language tour starts at 9:30 AM, the last at 4:30 PM.
| Monday | 9:30, 10:30, 11:30 AM, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:30, 10:30, 11:30 AM, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30 PM |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 9:30, 10:30, 11:30 AM, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30 PM |
| Friday | 9:30, 10:30, 11:30 AM, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30 PM |
| Saturday | 9:30, 10:30, 11:30 AM, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30 PM |
| Sunday | 9:30, 10:30, 11:30 AM, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30 PM |
English-language tours run much more frequently, every half hour between 9:30 AM and 12:00 PM and between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM.
How long are the wait times at the catacombs?
Wait times are generally short. Since only tickets with a fixed visit time and tour are sold, there's no long line to wait in on-site. Depending on the language of your booked tour, it may take a few minutes for your specific tour to start. Arriving about 30 minutes before your tour starts is a safe bet.
Tickets & Prices
Adult visitors 17 and older pay €10.00 admission on-site. Teens, students of archaeology, architecture, or art history, as well as priests and members of religious orders, pay the reduced price of €7.00. Children under 7 get free admission. Tickets at the on-site counters aren't always available, and the counters are sometimes unstaffed, so it's best to book one of the tours in advance.
| Adults (17+) | from €10.00 |
| Students (archaeology, architecture, art history) | from €7.00 |
| Teens / children (7–16) | from €7.00 |
| Children (up to 6) | Free |
| Audio guide | €7.00 |
| Booking fee | €2.00 |
Where can you get tickets for the Catacombs of San Callisto?
Tickets are available at the on-site counters, though they're not always in stock. It's a good idea to register in advance through the catacombs' official website, by phone, or by email. On-site, you exchange your confirmation for an entry ticket.
Booking an online ticket for the Catacombs of San Callisto is easier still. Registration and payment happen automatically, and on-site you just exchange your voucher for a ticket.
Buy tickets online
Direct booking, flexible cancellation up to 24 hours before your visit.
Guided Tours
How long do the tours through the Catacombs of San Callisto take?
A guided tour lasts between 40 and 45 minutes on average.
Can you explore the Catacombs of San Callisto on your own?
No. Only guided tours are offered through the catacombs; exploring independently is strictly prohibited. The full complex has more than 20 kilometers of underground tunnels. Getting lost could have serious consequences.
Directions & Location
The catacombs sit a bit outside the center, right on the Via Appia Antica, one of the best-known roads of the ancient Roman Empire. There's no direct metro or tram connection. You can still get there easily by public bus: lines 118, 218, 660, and 740 all go there.
| Bus | 118 | Callisto Catacombe |
| Bus | 218 | Fosse Ardeatine |
| Bus | 660 | San Sebastiano |
| Bus | 740 | Navigatori |
Don't Miss These
Crypt of the Popes
Giovanni Battista de Rossi discovered this burial chamber in 1854. Nine 3rd-century popes are buried here, including Pontian, Fabian, and Stephen I, with their Latin funerary inscriptions partly preserved to this day.
Crypt of Saint Cecilia
The patron saint of church music was buried here before her remains were transferred to Santa Cecilia in Trastevere in 821 AD. A copy of Maderno's famous statue still marks the spot today.
Crypts of Lucina
One of the oldest sections of the complex, dating to the 2nd and early 3rd centuries. This is where de Rossi found the key inscription fragment in 1849 that led him to the rest of the catacomb.
Sacrament Chapels
Five family burial chambers decorated with frescoes depicting the sacraments of baptism and the Eucharist, dating to the early decades of the 3rd century. They rank among the oldest surviving Christian pictorial art.
What Should You Know Before Visiting the Catacombs of San Callisto?
The catacombs are a sacred site, and appropriate clothing is expected. Clothing that doesn't cover knees and shoulders isn't allowed. Temperatures inside the catacombs are also around 15 to 16°C (59–61°F) with very high humidity, so warm clothing is strongly recommended. The site isn't suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility issues: access is only by more than 50 uneven steps, both going down and coming back up. There's no elevator or wheelchair ramp. A visit also isn't recommended for people with claustrophobia.
Who shouldn't visit the Catacombs of San Callisto?
A visit to the catacombs isn't possible or advisable for some groups of people.
- Wheelchair users
- People with mobility limitations (partly unpaved ground & more than 50 steps)
- People with claustrophobia
Photo Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions About the Catacombs of San Callisto
No. Access is only possible as part of a guided tour; exploring the tunnels independently isn't allowed.
Tours run in Italian, German, English, French, Spanish, and one additional language. The first German-language tour starts at 9:30 AM, the last at 4:30 PM.
Adults pay €10.00 on-site; the reduced price is €7.00. Booking online adds a €2.00 reservation fee.
No. Access is by more than 50 uneven steps, with no elevator or ramp available.
The complex spans four levels and reaches more than 20 meters below the surface at its deepest points.
