In Rome, the Catacombs—or the communal burial places used by early Christians and martyrs —are located along the Via Appia Antica, or the legendary Appian Way. Started in 312 BC and extending all the way to Brindisi on the coast, the Via Appia Antica was groundbreaking because the first 90kms were built in almost a perfectly straight line. There are many ancient monuments along the Appia Way, but the most famous are the catacombs. The best time to visit them is on Sunday, when the Appia Way is closed to car traffic and many Romans come here to ride their bikes or simply stroll around.
Catacombs Rome
Whilst many people think of catacombs as simply ‘mass graves’ the truth is that they are much more complex than that. The Roman catacombs are located over a labyrinth-like network of tunnels and passageways, chiselled out of the soft volcanic earth underneath the Appia Way.
Although popular culture has often told us that the catacombs were used as secret burial places for persecuted Christians, it is only half the story. During the time of persecution, martyrs were buried in them, and later on Christians chose to be buried here for several reasons; One was that they wanted to be buried next the early martyrs, and another was that they disliked the idea of cremation, (which was the norm in Rome at the time) and wanted to buried underground—as Christ was. Another, and wholly more romantic theory is that early Christians had a strong sense of community, and they wanted to be together during the ‘sleep of death’.
The most famous of the catacombs along the Appia Way is the Catacombs of San Callisto. Extending some 20kms, almost 500,00 people rest here, including Santa Cecilia.
