Catacombs of Saint Sebastian

Named for the martyr buried here, these catacombs are historically significant as the place from which the term for an underground burial site spread into general use. Tradition holds that the remains of Saints Peter and Paul were hidden here temporarily during a period of persecution, adding another layer of significance beyond the site's own extensive network of tunnels and tombs.

Guided tours, required for entry, walk through a portion of the galleries while explaining early Christian burial practices and symbolism. Set along the historic Appian Way outside the city center, it makes for a meaningful, cooler counterpoint to a day of walking in the Roman sun.