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Catacombs of Saint Sebastian
This place invented the word 'catacomb!' Every underground cemetery on Earth got its name from RIGHT HERE because of these hollow quarries on the ancient Via Appia. St. Sebastian, buried beneath your feet, survived being shot with arrows but was beaten to death by Emperor Diocletian instead! His body was thrown in Rome's giant ancient sewer before brave Lucina rescued him and brought him here in 298!
Did You Know?
- The Catacombs of San Sebastiano are the origin of the word 'catacomb'—the site was originally called 'ad catacumbas,' meaning 'near the hollows,' referring to the ancient pozzolana quarries beneath the Appian Way; this name later became the generic term for all Christian underground burial sites in Rome and beyond.
- These catacombs uniquely served as a temporary resting place for the relics of Saints Peter and Paul during the mid-3rd century, a period when Christians feared their remains would be desecrated; the so-called 'triclia,' a covered porticoed hall, still bears over 600 ancient graffiti invoking the two apostles, making it a remarkable archaeological record of early Christian devotion.
- The catacombs feature a mix of pagan and Christian art and architecture: visitors can see three well-preserved pagan mausoleums (including the 'Mausoleum of Innocentiores' with Christian symbols like anchors and fish), a 4th-century 'Cubicle of Jonah' adorned with vivid biblical frescoes, and the crypt of Saint Sebastian himself, whose dramatic martyrdom story (surviving arrows, then clubbing) became the stuff of legend and inspired the naming of the site.