Basilica & Catacombe di San Sebastiano

Lonely Planet review

Before going into the catacombs beneath the church, take a moment to explore the interesting 4th-century basilica on top. Much altered over the years, it was built over the catacombs used to safeguard the remains of Sts Peter and Paul during the persecutory reign of Vespasian. Its name, however, is a dedication to St Sebastian, who was martyred and buried here in the late 3rd century.

In the Capella delle Reliquie, in the right-hand nave, is one of the arrows used to kill the saint and the column to which he was tied. On the other side of the church you'll find a marble slab with the imprints of Jesus' footprints.

The Catacombe di San Sebastiano were the first catacombs to be so called, the name deriving from the Greek kata (near) and kymbas (cavity), because they were located near a cave. Over the centuries this catacomb was one of only three to remain open and receive pilgrims. The first level is now almost completely destroyed, but frescoes, stucco work and epigraphs can be seen on the 2nd level. There are also three perfectly preserved mausoleums and a plastered wall with hundreds of invocations to Peter and Paul, engraved by worshippers in the 3rd and 4th centuries.