Rome Underground Temples Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore St. Clement's Basilica's hidden layers
- Discover ancient Mithraic Temple beneath St. Clement's
- Visit the grand Archbasilica of St. John Lateran
- Learn about Rome's early Christian history
- Experience Rome's rich archaeological heritage
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided tour of St. Clement's Basilica
- Visit to Mithraic Temple beneath St. Clement's
- Entry to Archbasilica of St. John Lateran
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
You will enjoy a fascinating journey deep underground St. Clement's Basilica, a few meters away from the Colosseum. You will go through three layers of ancient monuments built on top of each other, and learn about forgotten pagan cults, early Christianity, and mystic symbolism. You will visit the best preserved Temple of Mithras and touch the underground river flowing below the streets of Rome and below the Colosseum. You will marvel at ancient mosaics and at the stories they portray. You will appreciate the intimacy of a small group of maximum 10 people
Having learned about paganism, the early persecutions and the martyrs, make a walk to the Cathedral of Rome, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, and find out why it is known as “Mother and head of all churches on Earth”. Be impressed by the beauty of the golden interior and the ancient frescos and hear about Emperor Constantine and why he legalized Christianity in 313.
Learn about the Emperor’s mother, St. Helena, and her pilgrimage to Jerusalem to recover the artifacts, safeguarded by the early underground church in the Holy Land. Among those, see the Holy Stairs, the original stairs of the praetorium which Jesus climbed at his judgment.
Finally, walk to the church built with earth brought from the Holy land, the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem and see the other Holy Relics secured by Helena including a nail from the Crucifixion, the walnut board Pontius Pilate put above the cross as well as the wood of the Cross Jesus was crucified on. See also fragments of the wall from the cave of the nativity in Bethlehem and two thorns of the crown of the Passion of Christ.
Choose to extend your journey to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where stunning mosaics and sacred relics offer insight into the church's importance in Christian history.
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- The tour is conducted in English; ensure you understand the language.
- Check the meeting point and time carefully to avoid delays.
- Be prepared for some stairs and uneven terrain during the tour.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for uneven surfaces.
- Bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated during the tour.
- Photography may be restricted in certain areas; please follow the guide's instructions.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Easy Public Transport
- Infant Seats Available
Good to know
- Please note: In the event that certain areas of one of the churches are closed, your guide will adapt the itinerary by highlighting alternative sites. As a result, the overall duration will remain unchanged
- An appropriate dress-code is required in order to enter the churches: knees and shoulders should be covered.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes: a moderate amount of walking is involved.
- This tour is not wheelchair-accessible.
- This tour is subject to weather conditions and/or liturgic-calendar events. If canceled you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund.
Traveler reviews
Best tour in Rome! Our...
Best tour in Rome! Our tour guide Daniel was so educated about every church else visited. A spiritual experience if you are looking for that feeling.
Must Do Tour! Great History and Stories!
Excellent Tour and Guide. Daniel spent a great deal of time telling us exceptional stories of the different things we were looking at and going to. He was very patient and answered all our questions as well. The tour took us through several locations, all with very unique things to see. I would highly recommend this tour and Daniel!
Excellent tour, informative and fun
Booked through Viator, we met our guide (Francesca) at the start of the tour to find out it was just us on the tour (3pm Tuesday) so felt like a personal one ! One of the churches on the tour was undergoing extensive renovations so Francesca took us to see something else instead. Really interesting tour (especially the first church on a church on a church on a house) dating back to 1st century. Incredible mosaics, paintings and tapestries going back thousands of years, well preserved or restored. The tour included a huge baptismal font (full body immersion) and the first church in Rome. Francesca talked our way though everything and was very knowledgable, but without being boring (a risk with any group tour is people asking questions about things you don’t care about or the guide has already described). She kept the tour at a pace we were happy with and we managed to squeeze everything in within a couple of hours - perfect.
Excellent tour, informative and fun
We met our guide (Francesca) at the start of the tour to find out it was just us on the tour (3pm Tuesday) so felt like a personal one ! One of the churches on the tour was undergoing extensive renovations so Francesca took us to see something else instead. Really interesting tour (especially the first church on a church on a church on a house) dating back to 1st century. Incredible mosaics, paintings and tapestries going back thousands of years, well preserved or restored. The tour included a huge baptismal font (full body immersion) and the first church in Rome. Francesca talked our way though everything and was very knowledgable, but without being boring (a risk with any group tour is people asking questions about things you don’t care about or the guide has already described). She kept the tour at a pace we were happy with and we managed to squeeze everything in within a couple of hours - perfect.
Incredible Tour!
A wonderful experience with our very knowledgeable guide David. He has a passion for the relics, their stories and the basilica’s. Thank you!!