Exclusive After-Hours: Crypts, Catacombs & Bone Chapel Tour

4.4 (51 reviews) Rome, Italy
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Duration2h 30m
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesGerman, English, Italian, French, Spanish
Group sizeUp to 45 travelers

Overview

Uncover the hidden, shadowy side of Rome on this unforgettable night-time tour through its most mysterious and macabre landmarks. Over 2.5 hours, immerse yourself in the hauntingly beautiful Capuchin Crypts and the ancient Priscilla Catacombs, where history and eerie ambiance blend under the cover of darkness. Begin your journey at the Capuchin Crypts beneath Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini, a site adorned with intricate mosaics crafted from the bones of over 4,000 monks—a chilling yet reflective meditation on mortality. Then, delve into the labyrinthine Priscilla Catacombs, often called the “Queen of the Catacombs,” where ancient tombs, stunning frescoes, and the earliest depiction of the Virgin Mary transport you to the secret world of Rome’s early Christians. Guided by expert narration and lantern light, this tour reveals a thought-provoking and atmospheric glimpse into the city’s hidden depths, leaving you with a new appreciation for its darker history.

What's included

  • After-hours access to the Capuchin Crypts & Bone Chapel
  • After-hours access to the Catacombs of Priscilla
  • Transport by air-conditioned coach
  • English Speaking Expert Tour Guide
  • Audio guided tour of the Capuchin Crypts
  • Gratuities to your awesome guide

What to expect

  1. Museum and Crypt of Capuchins Friars
    1h · Admission ticket included
    The Capuchin Crypt sets the tone for the tour. Capuchin monks used the bones of nearly 4,000 of their brothers to decorate this somber space in intricate floor-to-ceiling designs, earning it the macabre nickname of ‘the Bone Chapel’.

    Fewer visitors brave the Bone Chapel after dark, so you’ll have space to examine every detail of this strange place of worship, from an actual skull-and-crossbones to chandeliers made of human vertebrae. Your guide will tell you the theories, but it’s up to you to draw your own conclusions about the meaning of the crypt’s skeletal furnishings.
  2. Catacombe di Priscilla
    1h · Admission ticket included
    An air-conditioned coach will take you from here to your second site, the Catacombs of Priscilla. No other tour is permitted to enter these hallowed tunnels after-hours. Almost 2,000 years ago, early Christians took shelter here to bury their dead and practice their forbidden faith. With no other visitors around, and with your expert, English-speaking guide to relay the history of the tombs and tunnels, you can truly experience the atmosphere of this sacred spot.

    Follow the setting sun down into Rome’s mysterious underworld – and you’ll never see the city the same way again.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

In the center of Piazza Barberini, by the large Triton (Tritone) fountain.
Piazza Barberini is located at the metro stop “Barberini” on metro line A (red line).

End point

In the center of Piazza Barberini, by the large Triton (Tritone) fountain.
Piazza Barberini is located at the metro stop “Barberini” on metro line A (red line).

Additional information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.4 (51)
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€49.00 per person
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Operated by City Wonders Ltd · Booked through Viator
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