★★★★★ 5.0
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Catacombs of Priscilla
You're entering the Queen of the Catacombs—13 kilometers of tunnels stretch beneath Via Salaria, that's your whole town underground! 40,000 people rest here, including seven popes. A lady named Priscilla donated this volcanic rock quarry in year 200, and her husband actually fought a lion for Emperor Domitian! As you descend these stairs into the ancient stone, try counting how many paintings you see—some are almost 2,000 years old!
Did You Know?
- Burial Site of Martyrs and Popes: The Catacombs of Priscilla are sometimes called the 'Queen of the Catacombs' because of the unusually high number of early Christian martyrs and popes buried there, including Pope Marcellinus, Pope Marcellus, and Pope Sylvester, as well as hundreds of anonymous martyrs—making it one of the most historically significant early Christian cemeteries in Rome.
- Ancient Art Gallery Underground: The catacombs are famous for their remarkably well-preserved 3rd- and 4th-century frescoes, some of the earliest examples of Christian art. Highlights include the 'Greek Chapel' with biblical scenes, the 'Cubiculum of the Veiled Woman' (featuring one of the oldest known images of the Virgin Mary), and the 'Good Shepherd' fresco—a rare glimpse into the visual language of early Christianity.
- From Quarry to Sacred Space: The catacombs were originally part of an ancient pozzolan quarry (the Arenarium) and the underground villa of the Acilii Glabrioni, a prominent Roman senatorial family. Priscilla, after whom the catacombs are named, is believed to have been a member of this family and donated her land for Christian burials—showing how Rome’s pagan past was literally transformed into sacred Christian ground.