We will be visiting Rome in May. Catacombs are one of the many places we would like to see. What are your recommendations or suggestions Capuchin Crypt vs Catacombs of St Callixtus
Thank you
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
507 posts
The Capuhin Crypt is not a catacomb, as the name suggests. It’s a very different experience. Both the crypt and one of the catacombs are worth a visit. My favorite is the Catacomb of Priscilla. It tends to be less crowded than the others, has great art, and is easier to access than the catacombs near the Appian Way. It’s an easy walk from the Sant’ Agnese metro stop (B line).
Posted by
Calgary
1650 posts
I really liked the Capuchin Crypts. They were both creepy and beautiful. I was unimpressed by the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, which have been mostly emptied.
The crypts are not underground, though, if that's what you are thinking. They are essentially rooms connected to a church.
Posted by
USA
163 posts
I agree with Jeff's recommendation for the Catacomb of Priscilla - it was a small tour with a wonderful guide who clearly loved the space.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15807 posts
As someone said above, the Capuchin Crypt is a 'bone church' and not a 'catacomb', and not even particularly old (17th century or newer) compared to the subterranean cemeteries dating as far back as the 2nd century: burials were once generally forbidden within the city walls. As well, not every soul entombed in them was Christian, or at least not in the catacombs of San Sebastiano (the one we visited.)
Catacombs could also be multi-story, and as long as 12 miles in length.
Anyway, whichever one you might visit, any remains which may once have been visible have been removed out of respect for the deceased so if it's bones you want to see, go to the Capuchin Crypt for arrangements of those. What we enjoyed about San Sebastiano was the hearing about the history of the tunnels and burial customs of the era, and viewing some very, very old, surviving decorations.
Links to a few of the more visited of the catacombs open to the public. Tours are mandatory at all of them - you are not allowed to go into them on your own - and available at the sites. ]Photography/filming is also not allowed. They are considered to be holy places so respectful dress and behavior is expected. :O)
https://www.catacombesancallisto.it/en/index.php
https://www.catacombepriscilla.com/home-eng/
http://www.catacombe.org/uk_index.html
https://www.catacombedomitilla.it