The Catacombs of Callixtus were the official cemetery of the Church of Rome in the 3rd century AD, and today are the most important Roman Catacombs.
St Callixtus Catacombs on the Appian Way is the final resting place of half a million Christians, including 16 Popes.
The underground burial place gets its name from St. Callixtus, who was requested to administer the cemetery by Pope Zephyrinus at the beginning of the 3rd century AD.
In this article, we share everything you must know before buying tickets to Catacombs of Callixtus.
Table of contents
What to expect at Callixtus Catacombs
Also known as the Catacombs of San Callisto, these are the most sacred and important Roman Catacombs.
All visitors are taken around the underground burial by local guides, and self-guided tours aren’t allowed.
Visitors can book only the guided tour or opt for the guided tour with a shuttle from Rome.
During the 40-minute tour, visitors climb 50 irregular steps to reach the floor of the galleries. There is no elevator.
How to reach St Callixtus Catacombs
The Catacombs of St. Callixtus is at Via Appia Antica, 110 – between the Church of Quo Vadis and the Basilica of Saint Sebastian. Get Directions
It is best to get to these Roman Catacombs by public transport or the vehicle offered by your tour operator.
There are many ways to get to Callixtus Catacombs from Roma Termini, the central railway station of Rome.
By Metro A Line
You can board Metro A (towards Anagnina) from Termini station and get down at San Giovanni (in Laterano).
From just outside San Giovanni station, board bus number 218 (towards Ardeatina) and get down at the Fosse Ardeatine stop.
The catacombs are a quick walk from the bus stop.
You can also board the Metro A train (towards Anagnina) and get down at Arco di Travertino station.
From Arco di Travertino, take bus number 660 and get down at the Appia Pignatelli/Appia Antica bus stop.
From the stop, the attraction is less than 300 meters (950 feet).
By Metro B Line
Visitors can board Metro B (towards Laurentina) from Termini station and get down at either Colosseo station or Circo Massimo station.
Then board bus number 118 (towards Appia/Villa Dei Quintili) and get down at Catacombe di San Callisto’s entrance.
By Bus
If you want to avoid the subway, you can board bus number 714 and get down at the Navigatori bus stop.
If you stick to the Via delle Sette Chiese, you will reach San Calisto Catacombs after a 1 km (.6 miles) walk.
If that was too much to plan, book a tour to the Catacombs of St Callixtus and let someone else worry about the transport.
Callixtus Catacomb hours
From Thursday to Tuesday, the Catacombs of St. Callixtus open at 9 am and close at noon.
After a two-hour break, the Catacombs re-open at 2 pm and close for the day at 5 pm.
The final guided tour in the morning begins at noon, and the last guided tour in the afternoon starts at 5 pm.
The tourist attraction along the Appian Way remains closed on Wednesday.
The Catacombs of St. Callixtus remain closed on New Year’s Day, Easter, and Christmas as well.
How long do Callixtus Catacombs take?
The guided tours at the Catacombs of St Callixtus in Rome begin every 30 minutes and take around 40 minutes to complete.
The catacombs can only be visited in groups of at least two persons, accompanied by the guides.
Since self-guided tours are not allowed, all visitors are out of the underground burial site in 40-45 minutes.
Callixtus Catacombs ticket prices
When you purchase at the venue, the entry tickets to St Callixtus Catacombs costs €8 for adults 17 years and above.
Kids aged seven to 16 years, students with valid ID cards, and priests get a €3 discount and pay only €5 to enter.
Children under six years, visitors with a disability, and their caregivers can enter for free.
Tickets for Catacombs of Callixtus
There are many ways to experience San Calisto Catacombs in Rome.
You can book the standard guided tour and reach the attraction by yourself. Or, if you prefer, you can book a tour of catacombs with a shuttle included.
Visitors who want to know the region better opt for the guided tour of the Catacombs and the Appian Way.
We explain the numerous Catacombs of Callixtus tours below.
Guided tour of Callixtus Catacombs
This ticket is the cheapest way to explore San Calisto Catacombs in Rome.
The guide takes you through the immense underground cemetery excavated by the Christians of Rome from the 3rd to the 5th century AD and narrates stories of the tragic persecution of Christians.
While booking these tickets, you must select a time of arrival.
Ticket prices
Adult tickets (17+ years): €9.40
Youth ticket (7 to 16 years): €5.90
Student ticket (up to 25 years, with ID): €5.90
Guided tour of Callixtus Catacombs + shuttle
This tour starts twice daily – at 10 am and 2 pm – from Touristation’s office at Piazza Venezia.
After seeing your tickets, the staff directs you to the van that takes you to the catacombs and brings you back after the tour.
This tour includes the shuttle, a guided tour of the Roman Catacombs, and a free 25-minute Ancient Rome multimedia video.
This tour is available in English, German, Italian, and French.
Adult ticket (16+ years): €40
Catacombs of Callixtus + Appian Way
This 3-hour tour outside the walls of Rome is limited to 10 participants for a better experience.
You board your private bus in Rome and visit some of the ancient catacombs built to house the dead, including the Catacombs of St. Callixtus.
Then, you visit the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella and walk a portion of the old Appian Way and admire the ancient Roman aqueducts.
This tour is available on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Ticket prices
Adult ticket (15+ years): €64.90
Child ticket (6 to 14 years): €56.90
Infant ticket (up to 5 years): Free entry
If money isn’t an issue, but you would prefer some customization check out the private tour of the Catacombs and Appian Way.
Catacombs + Capuchin Crypt + Roman Aqueducts
This trip is a complete tour of the city’s countryside. It includes three attractions – the labyrinthine of Roman Catacombs, Capuchin Crypt, locally known as the ‘Bone Chapel,’ and the Roman Aqueducts.
You move between these attractions in an air-conditioned vehicle.
Your English-speaking guide is with you all through the three hours and thirty minutes of the tour.
Ticket prices
Adult ticket (18+ years): €65
Child ticket (2 to 17 years): €60
Here are a few more exciting tours we recommend –
| Catacombs tour | Rating | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Electric Bike Tour of Appian Way | 4.9/5 | €50 |
| Capuchin Crypts entry tickets | 4.7/5 | €35 |
| Private tour of crypts of Domitilla | 4.9/5 | €53 |
What to wear to San Calisto Catacombs
San Calisto Catacomb is considered a holy place, and is a site of worship.
That’s why visitors must dress up appropriately – no shorts or sleeveless tops are allowed for both men and women.
Ladies must cover their shoulders. If you plan to wear a skirt or trousers, please ensure it is below knee-level.
Rome has around 60 Catacombs, out of which five are most popular with tourists. Find out everything about the Catacombs of Rome.
What to see at Callixtus Catacombs
The Catacombs have an exciting history – from their origin to their decline and their rediscovery in the modern era.
With so much to see, they are a great way to understand the life and times of the Christians living in Rome.
Crypt of the Popes
Crypt of the Popes is the most important and revered crypt of the cemetery.
It is also known as the ‘The Little Vatican’ because it was the official burial place of nine popes of Rome’s 3rd century Church.
Crypt of St.Cecilia
In the adjoining crypt is the tomb of St.Cecilia, the patron saint of music.
She belonged to a Roman royal family and was martyred in the 3rd century.
Her remains were in the crypt for at least five centuries, but in 821, they were sent to Trastevere to be preserved in the Basilica dedicated to her.
Visitors can see a statue of St. Cecilia, a copy of the celebrated work sculptured by Stefano Maderno in 1599.
Cubicles of the sacraments
The five small chambers are commonly known as the cubicles of the Sacraments and are famous for their frescoes.
Visitors love these frescoes dated to the third century.
Pope Melziades’ area
Through an open passage in the back wall of Cubicle A1, visitors can enter the area of St. Miltiades, where he is buried.
This space assumes significance because it was during his pontificate that Emperor Constantine the Great issued the Edict of Milan, giving Christianity legal status within Rome.
Sources
# Wikipedia.org
# Catacombesancallisto.it
# Tripadvisor.com
# Renatoprosciutto.com
The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy.
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