All you need to know about the Rome Catacombs and San Gimignano Tours

Rome catacombs tour

The Rome Catacombs is a little scary and very fun - the places where the early Christians buried their dead and worshiped among them. Here's everything you need to know if you're planning to incorporate a trip to the Roman catacombs into your Rome vacation!

Where are the catacombs?

There are only a few catacombs actually open to the public in Rome. You can walk around them, following in the footsteps of a society that had to go down to the belly of the city to bury their friends and neighbours. Behind them today remain burial niches, similar to honeycombs in the walls of underground tunnels, as well as a variety of ancient artwork.

Why are the catacombs worth visiting?

Rome catacombs tour is a great way to explore the hidden side of a city drenched in beauty. From stunning churches to gorgeous artwork, Rome has it all - but alongside it, there's a dark history of illegal religion and underground worship, burials outside the city walls and hidden art.

The catacombs are a great opportunity to learn about parts of the city's history that you might not otherwise encounter. Popes were buried in Roman catacombs, and early Christians took tables and benches into tunnels where religion trumped worship at home.

The catacombs of Rome are among the oldest catacombs in the world. For those interested in history, this in itself is a huge draw; The tunnels themselves, which were turned into catacombs by the ancient Romans, actually go back even further. It was carved by the Etruscans for use in limestone and sandstone mining.

Where else can you see the dark side of Rome?

Catacombs are not the only the example of the dark side of the Eternal City. Their tour combines a visit to the catacombs with a trip to the Basilica of San Clemente and the Capuchin Museum and Cellar.

San Clement provides a fine example of church reuse; Head under the church and you'll find a preserved Roman Street, complete with a working aqueduct and a room used for secret meetings of a pagan mystical cult.

From here you'll head to the Basilica of Santa Maria della Concizione dei Capuccini - the Museum of the Capuchins and home to the Capuchin cellars. Here are the bodies of 4,000 monks, re-housed in the 17th century and arranged in elaborate patterns designed to remind those who visit that death cannot be escaped...

Practical tips for visiting the catacombs

Tours of the Roman catacombs are led by English-speaking archaeologists, experts in their field who can tell you a lot about the history of underground burial chambers. Groups consist of 20 people or less, which is the perfect amount to enjoy a trip to the catacombs without being too crowded.

Think carefully about what you will wear when visiting the catacombs. Being underground, it can get quite cold even in summer - so while you're exploring the city in a T-shirt and shorts, be sure to bring a lightweight jacket that you can wear when you head down the city streets. Comfortable shoes, like sneakers or walking shoes are essential - the catacombs are ancient, and they weren't built with ease of exploration in mind!

Heading into the crypts, it's worth noting that your knees and shoulders should be covered. When visiting Rome in the winter months, it's OK to wear jeans and a jacket (or a combination of a T-shirt and jacket). If you are visiting in the summer, consider wearing a thin shirt or blouse and some thin pants such as khakis or harem pants. This way you can keep your cool but still be within the scope of respecting the dress code.

Rome to San Gimignano

There are three ways to get from Rome to San Gimignano by train, bus or car

Train from Rome to San Gimignano

The trains from the Rome to the San Gimignano cover the 131 mile which is 211 km long route. The trains from the Rome to the San Gimignano leave daily from Rome Termini. The flight will first take you north to Florence, where you will arrive at Florence Santa Maria Novella Station about 1 hour and 30 minutes later. After transferring to your second train, you will continue on to Poggibonsi-San Gimignano Train Station, which takes just over an hour. The journey usually takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Rome to San Gimignano Train Time: Daily Departure

The trains from the Rome to the San Gimignano with a connection in the Florence leave from Rome Termini twice daily, generally around 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Communications in the Florence usually leave at the Florence Santa Maria Novella Station at 11:10 AM and 2:10 PM, which will bring you to Poggibonsi-San Gimignano Station around 12:15 PM. or 3:15 p.m. The stopover in Florence takes about 25 minutes, giving you plenty of time to board your calling line to San Gimignano and settle in before leaving.