Rome: History of Christianity Tour with Vatican & Catacombs – Rome, Italy

EXPERIENCE:

Start the tour with a morning visit to the Capuchin Crypts located under the Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini Church. See the macabre catacombs where 3,700 Capuchin monks are buried in elaborate bone structures. Hear about how many of these structures are built to represent Christian symbols, and as your guide will explain, it has caused some controversy.

Then, head over to the oldest network of Catacombs in Rome, the Catacombs of Domitilla. Located 50 feet below ground, this nearly 10-mile long maze of tunnels acted as the burial grounds for early Christians. Next, walk on the same road that led Roman armies millennia ago. Find out how the Appian Way was 1 of the original 7 roads into Rome and went from all the way to Brindisi in modern-day Puglia. Admire the Aurelian Walls from the climate-controlled vehicle.

After this, head over to the Vatican Museums and enter with your skip-the-line tickets. Stroll through the Gallery of the Candelabra, Gallery of the Tapestries, and the Gallery of the Maps. Explore the Raphael Rooms and Borgia Apartments which are full of paintings and frescoes by Raphael and his disciples and provide an amazing overview of Renaissance art.

Then, step inside Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel – one of the most impressive and celebrated works of art in world history. Because silence is strictly enforced, your guide will describe what to look out for before entering. Make your last stop on the tour at St. Peter’s Basilica. Enter through a special door directly from the Sistine Chapel. Visit Michelangelo’s Pietà statue as well as Bernini’s Baldacchino.

The last stop on this Combo tour is St. Peter’s Basilica. This massive church is the size of two American football fields and is filled with works created by some of history’s most celebrated artists. You will enter through a special door, skipping the lines to visit the most opulent church in the world. Once inside, you’ll admire masterpieces such as the Baldacchino, La Pietà, the statue of St. Peter and more. Even if you’re not familiar with art history, the interior of this church will make you stand in awe.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Take in the elaborate bone structures of the Capuchin Crypts
Visit one of the world’s oldest highways, the Appian Way
Explore the Catacombs of Domitilla, an ancient Christian burial ground
Discover the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica
Journey through the history of Rome with an English-speaking guide

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