Rome, Italy
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
—Bible, Psalm 116:15
First established for Rome’s early Christian community, the Catacombs of Saint Callixtus hold almost half a million sepulchers and tombs spanning 12 miles and five levels. Saint Cecilia was martyred with three ax chops to her neck in the third century and is entombed where a statue marks the place of her burial. Her relics were moved to a basilica dedicated to her in the Trastevere, along with forty-six other martyrs; and the Crypt of the Popes is the oldest.
If holy burial sites depicting ancient Christians’ spiritual beliefs and their sacred art and symbols inspire you to create a rich spiritual life for yourself, visit the Catacombs of Saint Callixtus. The catacomb address is Via Appia Antica (Old Appian Way), 110/126, Rome; the entrance is located near the small church of Quo Vadis and the Basilica of Saint Sebastian, with parking off Via Ardeatina. To reach the catacombs, take the metro, your rental car, taxi, coach tour, or any of various city buses that depart from central Rome.
Photography is not permitted inside the catacombs.
Tap into your artistic self and draw the beautiful symbols you see. Later, your images will carry you back to what you saw and felt in the catacombs. Use the emotion to lead you into prayer, meditation, and absorption on the Divine.
The catacombs bear the name of early Christian deacon Callixtus, administrator of the cemeteries of the Church of Rome through appointment by Pope Zephyrinus early in the third century.