Among Rome’s largest and oldest, these wonderful catacombs stretch for about 17km. They were established on the private burial ground of Flavia Domitilla, niece of the emperor Domitian and a member of the wealthy Flavian family. They contain Christian wall paintings and the haunting underground Chiesa di SS Nereus e Achilleus, a 4th-century church dedicated to two Roman soldiers martyred by Diocletian.
Catacombe di Santa Domitilla
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
4.24 MILES
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2.67 MILES
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3.15 MILES
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3.25 MILES
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Nearby attractions
1. Mausoleo delle Fosse Ardeatine
0.22 MILES
This mausoleum is dedicated to the victims of Rome’s worst WWII atrocity. Buried here, outside the Ardeatine Caves, are 335 Italians shot by the Nazis on…
0.24 MILES
These are the largest and busiest of Rome’s catacombs. Founded at the end of the 2nd century and named after Pope Calixtus I, they became the official…
3. Catacombe di San Sebastiano
0.52 MILES
Extending beneath the Basilica di San Sebastiano, these underground burial chambers were developed in the 1st century.
0.52 MILES
The small 4th-century basilica atop the Catacombe di San Sebastiano dates mainly from the 17th century. It is dedicated to St Sebastian, who was martyred…
5. Chiesa del Domine Quo Vadis
0.56 MILES
This pint-sized church marks the spot where St Peter, fleeing Rome, met a vision of Jesus going the other way. When Peter asked, ‘Domine, quo vadis?’ …
0.68 MILES
Mausoleo di Romolo, located within the grounds of Villa di Massenzio, was built by Maxentius for his 17-year-old son Romulus. The huge mausoleum was…
0.72 MILES
The outstanding feature of Maxentius’ enormous 4th-century palace complex is the Circo di Massenzio, Rome’s best-preserved ancient racetrack. Above the…
0.78 MILES
Via Appia Antica is a beautiful cobbled thoroughfare flanked by grassy fields, ancient Roman structures and towering pine trees.