Catacombs and other Rome, Italy Off The Beaten Path Tips

Catacombs of San Callisto

The Catacombs are located around the Old Via Appia, just SE of Rome.

You can take metro line B and stop in Circo Massimo , and on the way you will see the Caracalla Baths (I was wrong and took line A and stopped in S. Giovanni and it's ok as well because you can see San Giovanni in Laterano church).

Then follow Via delle Terme di Caracalla and then Via Porta San Sebastiano. The catacoms start over there.

The road is heavy-traffic, so forget about following a pleasant way with birds singing along the way or better try going on Sunday.

The 3 main Catacombs are:

�.��.��`> Catacombe Di San Callisto (closed Wed)
The most famoust, largest and most touristed. 500,000 people is buried here.
�.��.��`> Catacombe Di Santa Domitilia (closed Tue)
�.��.��`> Catacombe Di San Sebastiano (closed Sun)
The oldest ones, and the ones I visited. A church was built on top.

All catacombs open from 8:30 - 12:00 and 14:30 - 17:30.

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Website: http://www.catacombe.roma.it/

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Christian Rome: Catacombs - Introduction

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Written by gasca

on Nov 5, 2005

Catacombs of San Callisto, the

largest and most fa

In Ancient Rome banned burials inside city walls so early Christians dug hundreds of kilometers of tunnels in an area where the rocks are volcanic and easy to dig.

Later on the catacombs fall into oblivion since emperor Constantine around 3 century A.D. issued the Edict of Milan which stablished freedom and toleration for all religions.

The catacombs where discovered in the 16 century by a farmer who described them as a 'world of the dead'.

Everything in Rome is quite prestablished and touristic, so this is not an exception. Catacombs visit is guided and visits last for half an hour

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Christian Rome: Catacombs - Catacombe Di San Sebastiano

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Written by gasca

on Nov 6, 2005

A passage in the Catacomb

Named after St Sebastian was martyred and buried here, you can only visit the 2nd level and you must wait for a group of people to start the visit. You cannot wander around the hundreds of tunnels alone with a candle as I expected, but the place itself is quite impressive.

There are 3 levels and the first was almost destroyed because over the centuries this catacomb was the one of the only 3 open to pilgrims, and these are the first catacombs to be so called, coming the word from kata (near) and kymbas (cavity), as they were located near a cave

After the visit to the catacombs you are guided to the church that was built on top
Entrance is 5 euros.

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Parks & Gardens: Villa Borghese - Introduction

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Written by gasca

on Nov 6, 2005

Villa Borghese

If you need to forget about the noise and dust of the city lead yourself to this wonderful park for one day.

You can stop in Barberini Line A metro station or Spagna. In both stations get Via Sistina and from there get Via Franceso Crispi till you get Via Veneto, then crossing the Aurelian Wall and you will be inside the park.

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Website: http://www.villaborghese.it/

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Museums: Villa Borghese - Galleria Borghese

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Written by gasca

on Nov 6, 2005

Galleria Borghese

Just follow Viale del Museo Borghese till you reach Galleria Borghese.

Once's Scipione House, it contains works by Bernini, Caravaggio and some statues.
You must book tickets in advance, you cannot enter with bags, cameras, anything..so it's a total disaster, so I took a picture and followed the path.

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Parks & Gardens: Villa Borghese - Bioparco

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Written by gasca

on Nov 6, 2005

An exotical bird just before the

entrance

Turn left and at the end you will find Bioparco, a special zoo of local species and exotic animals designed for children.

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Parks & Gardens: Villa Borghese - Giardino del Lago

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Written by gasca

on Nov 6, 2005

Lake at Villa Borghese

by gasca , 1 more photos

From Bioparco, follow a narrow path that will lead you to a former amphitheatre now used for equestrian events and a little later, you'll reach at right a romantic lake next to Templo di Esculapio.

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Off The Beaten Path: Villa Borghese - La Casina dell'Orologgio

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Written by gasca

on Nov 6, 2005

La casina dell'Orologio

Returning to the main path you will find this romanttic restaurant perfect for a rest after your tour!

The place is nicer than it appears on picture.

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Phone: 06 6798515
Website: http://www.la-casina-dell-orologio.it
Other Contact: Viale dei Bambini, 1

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Off The Beaten Path: Villa Borghese - Piazza del Poppolo

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Written by gasca

on Nov 6, 2005

View of Piazza del Poppolo from

Villa Borghese

And, before taking metro at Piazza del Poppolo (Flaminio Line A), this breathtaking view from top!

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Ancient Rome: Piramide Di Caio Cestio

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Written by gasca

on Nov 6, 2005

Piramide Caio Cestio