Scavi tour / Biblical sites

I just did a Google search for biblical sites in Rome and found many ideas including a Rick Steves one.

I would attempt to book the Scavi tour as soon as possible.

There is the jail cell where legend has it St. Peter was held. Probably not true.
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-mamertine-prison

for the Scavi tour --we booked this months in advance nearly 20 years ago and were lucky to get tickets. There are way fewer opportunities than those wanting to do this and it is much better known now than it was then. I would try to book now and offer as many days as you have in hopes that you will get an English tour on one of those days and then plan around it if you get tickets. It is quite something. It is the thing my kids remember most about Rome. (They were older teens when we went; I think the age limit is 15 or so)

More biblical legend: Domine Quo Vadis, near the Fosse Ardeatina, a much more moving (and authentic) monument to those murdered in Roma during WWII.

Also, the Scala Santa near the basilica San Giovanni in Laterano.

Christianity in Roma really hit its stride after the New Testament was closed.

Julie

Yes book now. You will get a reply within a day or so and than a link on how to pay. They give you ten days to pay and I stupidly waited until the tenth day but didn't account for the Time difference and got locked out. I rebooked and then paid immediately. Lesson learned.

The entrance to the Vatican grounds isn't marked "Scavi" because basically it's the entrance to the private area of all the Vatican. The entrance we used was around the colonnade to the left of St Peters. The only indications of the entrance were the body scanners and X-ray machines manned by some very imperious police (not the Swiss Guard- they were helpful). We weren't allowed through the police checkpointuntil five minutes before our scheduled time and then had to scramble to find the Scavi office. Other people were there so they must have used a different entrance.

Anyway the Scavi tour was a highlight and really inspiring.

Jennifer

If you truly mean "biblical" as in "mentioned in the Bible" there aren't that many places. "Domine, quo vadis?" for example comes from the apocryphal book The Acts of Peter, not the Bible. Even the martyrdom of Peter isn't in the Bible. (Part of the Scavi tour is making the case for the discovery of the actual burial site of Peter. Definitely book your tickets now. It's fascinating. Be aware that it is VERY warm and humid down there.)

Most places in Rome associated with something from the Bible are locations that have been passed down by tradition. However, if you mean early Christian sites, there are scores if not hundreds of places. For example, one of the first churches built in Rome to be a Christian church is believed to be under the Basilica di San Crisogono in Trastevere. For a couple of euros, you can wander around in the lower level. And there are inaccurate myths that have developed around some locations. For example, there's no proof that Christians were martyred in the Colosseum.

And let me second what Zoe wrote about the Fosse Ardeatine memorial. It's very moving. (The youngest victim was 15 years old.) Here's a description of it from the official tourism page:

A National Monument and Memorial Cemetery, it tragically became a symbol of the resistance movement after the occupying German troops’ mass execution here of 335 innocent youths and adults, taken at random from Rome’s prisons and streets, in reprisal for an attack carried by partisan fighters in the city centre. On 23rd March 1944, German soldiers marching through Via Rasella were ambushed by an explosive device, a blast killing 33 Nazis and injuring 38 others. The next day, for every killed German soldier, 10 Italians were executed. 335 people were rounded up, including political prisoners from the gaol in Via Tasso and several Jews, who were lead off in trucks to the rural suburbs of the city, inside the tunnels of a disused quarry near the Via Ardeatine and shot in the back of the head.

Although not 'Biblical' the archeological levels below San Clemente not far from the Colosseum are interesting. There is a 14th century church atop a 10th century church atop a 4th century church atop Mythric temples. Not a lot left underground, but still interesting and it is nice and cool which makes it a nice stop on a hot Roman day.

Don't miss the Moses in San PIetro en Vincoli also nearby; this is among Michelangelo's three greatest sculptures, the other two being the Pieta at St. Peters and the David in Florence. It is a quite stunning piece. (note that churches close during a long stretch mid day so check hours or avoid 12:30-4 or so when planning your visits.

Michael, you are right, I interpreted the question as "in the biblical period".

Thank you all so much.. I will go ahead and try to make reservations now for the Scavi tour... In saying "biblical "... I meant anything that happened and was mentioned in the Bible that occurred in Rome .. I know some places such as the Maritime Prison is not a definite that it was the location of where Paul and Peter were imprisoned... I guess I'm just making sure that we don't miss out on a sacred place that is important to Christianity. Thanks for all of the wonderful advice.
Julie

There are wonderful resources available ...for all things Vatican related google "visiting vatican us embassy" and see the links for specific interests: The Scavi tour was incredible. Vatican Museum --- there is a Art & Faith tour.
Blue Book Travel: Pilgrim's Rome by AB Barber is very good and excellent compilation of sites and brief history.
Before your trip: I loved the PBS quality Catholicism series by Fr (now Bishop) Robert Barron --- it is avail from our library so maybe you will be lucky! He shares the theological, historical and the beauty of these great treasures. In particular to Rome the episode on Peter and Paul is perfect. The full series takes you all over the world....so be ready to pick your next destination as well :)