Catacombs of Rome

The Catacombs of Rome are ancient underground burial places with over 50 catacombs in the underground of Rome, containing around 150 km of tunnels. They were built outside the city walls along main Roman roads and are extremely important for the history of Early Christian art. The catacombs originated in Rome between the end of the second and the beginning of the third centuries A.D. and were used for burial, with the custom of burying the dead in underground areas already known to the Etruscans, Jews, and Romans. The art of the catacombs is simple, narrative, and symbolic, recalling stories from the Old and New Testaments. The catacombs are a significant historical and cultural site, offering a unique glimpse into the lives of early Christians and their burial practices