Discover the Mysterious Catacombs of Rome History!

The Roman Catacombs beneath Italy consist of underground chambers that take you back in time to explore the burial practices of Christians in ancient Rome.

The Catacombs attract hundreds of visitors yearly for their historical and religious significance, as it is a resting place for the most important Catholic figures.

Visitors planning to explore this dark side of Italy must know all about the Roman Catacombs history for a more informative experience.

In this article, we’ll look at the detailed history of the Catacombs in Rome and discover the backstory of its construction! 

A Quick Timeline of the History of Roman Catacombs 

1st Century AD: Etruscan civilization moved to Rome.

101-200 AD: The population in Rome increased, leading to a scarcity of burial grounds, which led to the formation of the Catacombs.

313 AD: The Edict of Milan passed in Rome. 

380 AD: Christianity became the religion of the state. 

501-700 AD: Christian paintings and inscriptions were added to the Catacombs.

901-1000 AD: The relics from the Catacombs went to other Roman Churches for display. 

1576: The Catacombs were rediscovered. 

1593: Domitilla Catacombs were rediscovered. 

1501-1600 AD: Onofrio Panvinio rediscovered the Catacombs of Saint Agnes. 

1854: Giovanni Battista de Rossi rediscovered the Catacombs of Callixtus.  

1933: Reconstruction of the right nave of the Constantinian Basilica. 

What does the word “Catacomb” mean?

The Catacomb is an underground tunnel with small spaces where people are buried. 

The word Catacomb has Latin roots from the word Catatumbas, which means “among the tombs.”

Another translation of the word is “next to the quarry,” which came after the construction of the Roman Catacombs.

It became a popular translation as the Catacombs stood beside the quarry outside Rome. 

Who is buried in the Roman Catacombs?

Before we begin with the history, it is essential to know who these mysterious figures are in the Catacombs.

The Catacombs were a resting place for Jews, the first Christian families of Rome, and people from other religions. 

You can see the tombs of some of the most famous saints of Rome, from where each Catacomb gets its name.

There are around two million tombs in the Catacombs since Rome has over sixty, even though very few are open today.

Pilgrims can also find the remains of 16 Popes in the Catacombs of Rome.

Rome before the Catacombs 

Let’s begin exploring the history of the Roman Catacombs by trying to understand why the Catacombs were constructed all over Rome. 

The Etruscan civilization dominated Rome in the 1st Century AD, and most of their burial rites consisted of burying the remains of their dead as they believed in resurrection.

However, the people originally living in Rome did not practice burials, but they cremated their loved ones and kept the ashes in urns or pots.

Since the population of Rome began growing in the 2nd century CE, burial land was not available anymore.

To ensure there was space to continue constructing buildings, citizens were not allowed to bury their loved ones in the city.

The Christian Catacombs

Most Roman Christians were in the same sect as the Jews in the 2nd century.

They were allowed to bury their loved ones in the Jewish cemeteries, but as the years passed, it became very expensive.

You could see tombs lining the Via Appia, leading out of the city, and people considered constructing a Catacomb, which would be much cheaper. 

Even though people think that the Catacomb tunnels were always a worship place, this practice began much later. 

Christian services like the anniversary celebration of saints and other customary celebrations were in the Catacomb tunnels. 

The catacombs of Saints Sebastian and Calixtus were formed during this period, even though most others came about after the persecutions of Christians began. 

Around 60 other Christian catacombs were constructed around the 6th century AD.

After the persecution of Christians began in 70 AD, people believed that Christians were hiding inside the Catacombs, but this is not proven.

Historians believe that they went down to the Catacombs to hold funeral rites for their relatives during the period of persecution. 

Christian Art & Inscriptions 

During the 6th century, the art and architecture of each Catacomb reflected the wealth of the person buried inside. 

Each tomb was also marked with a Christian symbol to help the family members spot the grave among the millions of others.

You can also learn more about the status of each family, as most graves have markings with the words enslaved person or freedman. 

Ranks of the bishops and priests buried are mentioned on their tombstones and can be seen in the open catacombs even today!

Like tombstones at present, you can also see a few quotes from the Bible mentioned on most tombstones. 

Most of the paintings on the walls of the Catacombs show the world the wishes and hopes of the Christians living in ancient Rome.

The paintings also hint at holy rites like Baptism and the Eucharist in different ways on the walls of the Roman Catacombs. 

The Tunnels of the Roman Catacombs 

The complex connections of tunnels going underground in Rome that you see today were constructed by the Etruscans.

They were initially meant to be mining tunnels dug out to extract minerals like sandstone and limestone. 

For years, these quarries gathered rocks for the Romans, but the Christians and Jews later took them over as burial grounds. 

The Catacombs of Rome are forgotten. 

In the 313 AD Edict of Milan, many pilgrims began breaking down tombs in the Catacombs to find relics of saints and Popes.

The stealing caused significant damage to the Catacombs, and they only became a place to display Christian art in the 6th and 7th centuries. 

When Christianity became the religion of the state in 380 AD, many pilgrims wanted to be buried beside the martyrs. 

But during this period, the Churches set up cemeteries, which became much more popular than the Catacombs.

In the 10th century, the Catacombs were forgotten, and all holy items and statues were brought to the surface.

These items are now on display in churches and basilicas all over Rome. 

Rediscovery of Rome’s Catacombs 

The 20-meter-deep underground Catacombs were accidentally discovered on 31st May 1578.

They became a popular early pilgrimage site, as Antonio Bossio, a famous scholar, took an interest in them.

He explored the Catacombs for years and finally left Rome with a book, Roma Sotterranea, on the Catacombs in 1632!

Followed by him were other scholars like Giovanni Battista de Rosi, who wrote and published specialized books on the Roman Catacombs.

Sadly, all sixty-plus catacombs are not open to exploring today, but five major ones can be visited.

Let’s look at the history and renovations of five of these famous underground chambers! 

History of the Catacombs of Domitilla

The Catacombs of Domitilla in Rome, two kilometers from the Appia Antica, have been used from the 1st to the 5th century.

It got its name from the Domitilla family, who wanted the Catacomb to be dug up. 

Antonio Bossi rediscovered them in 1593, finding over 26,000 tombs in 70 rooms inside the Domitilla Catacombs.

Two rooms of the Domililla Catacombs were restored in 2017 with the help of lasers.

They removed layers of algae, dust, and other deposits to reveal a stunning marvel of frescos on the walls. 

The frescos showcase Biblical scenes of Noah’s ark, The Good Shepherd, and other pagan figures of Orpheus, surrounded by animals and birds of all kinds.  

Most Roman Catacombs do not have actual human remains, but you can find used tombs in the Domitilla Catacombs! 

History of the Catacombs of San Sebastino

The San Sebastino Catacombs in Rome was a housing space and a necropolis area when it was constructed. 

The area of the Catacomb was previously a pozzolan mine, which was used by Romans as a burial ground in the 2nd century. 

The marvelous wall paintings and fish symbols with deep religious significance that you now see in the Catacombs of San Sebastino were painted in this period.

The cemetery galleries of the Catacomb were also constructed in the 2nd century. 

In the 3rd century AD, the mine was filled with concrete to construct an upper-level area where burial banquets were held regularly.

You can see a brilliant gallery of over 600 figures of graffiti art based on the lives of the Apostles Peter and Paul!

Their relics were temporarily set up here in the 3rd century and later moved to St. Peter’s Basilica in the 4th century. 

The spaces were buried again in the 4th century, and the massive Constantinian Basilica was built over them. 

The right nave of this Basilica was reconstructed in 1933 and connected to the Chapel of Relics at the center of the Catacomb, which is visible even today!

Many sarcophagi from the 4th century were also found at the San Sebastino Catacombs during the excavation of the Basilica. 

History of the Catacombs of Callixtus

The Catacombs of Callixtus are the most famous among the pilgrims visiting Rome, as is the famous spot of the ancient Papal Tombs!

It is named after Pope Callixtus I, who created the tomb before he became Pope in the 2nd century AD.

You can see the tombs of Popes from the 2nd to the 4th centuries, including Pope Urban I, Pope Sixtus II, and many others. 

When the catacombs were neglected in the 4th century, the churches of Rome put all its relics on display.

The final translation of relics was sent under Pope Sergius II in the 9th century. 

The famous Italian archeologist Giovanni Battista de Rossi rediscovered the Callixtus Catacombs in the year 1854!

History of the Catacomb of Priscilla

The Catacomb of Priscilla now stands in the ancient quarry of Rome, on Via Salaria!

You can find the entrance to this underground chamber from the Monastery of Benedictines of Priscilla. 

It was named after the wife of Consul Manius Acilius Glabrio, who was a Roman senator in 91 AD.

Consul Manius and his family converted to Christianity, and they were murdered under orders from Emperor Domitian. 

The areas of the Catacomb include the burial grounds of the Acilius Glabrio family, a massive Roman Villa, a cryptoporticus, and an arenarium. 

Pilgrims can also see the tombs of Popes Marcellinus and Pope Marcellus I at the Priscilla Catacombs. 

The Catacombs of Priscilla also housed the remains of saints Praxedes and Pudentiana in the 9th century. 

Saint Philomena’s relics were also discovered inside this Catacomb. 

History of the Catacombs of Saint Agnes 

The Saint Agnes Catacombs of Rome stood in the Sant’Agnese fuori le mura complex and got its name from Saint Agnes. 

Saint Agnes was buried at a cemetery owned by her family in the 3rd century AD.

Under Pope Liberius built a shrine over the Catacomb for Saint Agnes, which Pope Symmachus transformed into a basilica. 

The burial area of the saint was expanded in the 4th century, and three new spaces were added.

Emperor Constantine erected a basilica for Saint Agnes and the Santa Constanza mausoleum.

The Emperor’s daughters Constantina and Helena were later buried at this mausoleum. 

The 1970s excavations also showed remains of a pagan burial site that was destroyed during the Basilica’s construction. 

The Catacombs of Saint Agnes were rediscovered in the 16th century by Onofrio Panvinio.

In the 18th century, the Catacomb was forgotten, and many citizens vandalized it, damaging its interior. 

Mariano Armellini discovered some well-preserved parts of the Catacombs in the middle of the 19th century. 

The credit for displaying the space of the Catacomb you see today goes to Augusto Bacci, who carried out many excavations in the 20th century, which helped in its restoration. 

The Catacomb has three levels with four regions, each having its own epigraphs; they are:

• Regio I dates back to the 3rd century. 
• Regio II was the most damaged area of the Catacomb, built in the 4th century.
• Regio III is the most significant area of the Saint Agnes Catacomb from the 4th century. Armellini excavated it from under a layer of silt. You can see the artifacts from this room in the Vatican Museum today. 
• Regio IV was excavated after Emperor Constantine destroyed the pagan necropolis to construct his Basilica. 

The Roman Catacombs Today

At present, the city of Rome has over sixty catacombs spread all over the city, but only five of these are open to the public.

It is currently under the care of the Holy See’s Pontifical Commission of Sacred Archeology. 

The Salesian Fathers act as security guards for the Catacombs in Rome.

The care of each site is assigned to the area’s local clergy or religious institutions close to the Catacomb.

FAQs on Catacombs of Rome History

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