Early Christianity Tour Rome

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Early Christianity Tour Rome: from the Apostolic Age to public worship

The Early Christianity Tour Rome follows the development of the Catholic Church from the Apostolic Age, through persecution and legalisation, to the medieval pilgrimage tradition centred upon Christ’s Passion. With an expert Catholic guide, this three-hour walking tour visits St Clement’s Basilica, the Holy Stairs, St John Lateran and Santa Croce in Gerusalemme.

Descend into an early Christian house and ancient Roman temple, explore two historic basilicas, visit the Cathedral of Rome and conclude before some relics associated with the Passion and Crucifixion of Christ.

Apostolic Christianity beneath St Clement’s Basilica

The tour begins at St Clement’s Basilica, close to the Colosseum. Descend to first-century Roman buildings associated with Christians of the Apostolic Age and the tradition of Pope St Clement, the third successor of St Peter.

At the lowest level, discover an ancient pagan temple dedicated to Mithras and learn about the Roman religious world in which the earliest Christians lived and suffered persecution.

From the Underground Church to Public Worship

Continue into the buried fourth-century Basilica of St Clement, constructed after Christianity could worship publicly. Its surviving frescoes reveal the saints, martyrs and life of the early Catholic Church.

Return to the present twelfth-century basilica to interpret its magnificent apse mosaic, ancient marble choir and Cosmatesque floor. Venerate the relics of St Clement and St Ignatius of Antioch, together with the tomb and surviving relics of St Cyril. St Cyril and his brother St Methodius brought St Clement’s relics from Crimea to Rome, but St Methodius is not buried here.

The Holy Stairs and Sancta Sanctorum

Walk to the Holy Stairs, traditionally identified as the steps from the praetorium of Pontius Pilate that Christ ascended during His Passion. Your guide explains their translation from Jerusalem to Rome and the Catholic devotion of ascending them on one’s knees.

Because of the tour schedule, there is no time to ascend the Holy Stairs on one’s knees. The visit instead uses a parallel staircase towards the Sancta Sanctorum, the former private chapel of the popes, where you will learn about the revered icon of Christ traditionally painted by St Luke.

St John Lateran: The Cathedral of Rome

The pilgrimage then enters St John Lateran, the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome—the Pope—and the highest-ranking church in the Catholic world. Your guide explains its Constantinian foundation, its importance following the legalisation of Christianity and its title as Mother and Head of all the churches in the city and the world.

See the monumental nave, apostolic statues, apse mosaics and sacred relics associated with the basilica. Its Holy Door closed after the Jubilee Year of 2025 but remains visible and is expected to reopen for the Jubilee of Redemption in 2033.

Santa Croce and Relics of Christ’s Passion

The tour concludes at the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme. Closely associated with St Helena and the ancient tradition of pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the basilica preserves some relics associated with Christ’s Passion and Crucifixion.

Your Catholic guide places these relics within the Gospel accounts and the development of Christian devotion, bringing the journey from the Apostolic Age to the mystery of the Cross.

Early Christianity Tour Rome and related visits

For St Clement alone, book our St Clement’s Basilica – Apostolic Rome Underground Tour. For a more extensive relic pilgrimage, choose the Via Crucis – Relics of Christ Tour. You can also visit the Cathedral of Rome on our standalone St John Lateran & Holy Stairs Tour.

To visit all four papal basilicas, explore our 4 Major Basilicas tours and pilgrimage packages. For other individual experiences, browse our Catholic Tours in Rome.

Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours before the tour, less the cost of any tickets or transport already purchased on your behalf.

For a focused exploration of one exceptional early-Christian site, read the Crucis guide to San Clemente and Catholic history or choose the St Clement’s Basilica Underground Tour.

Before taking the Early Christianity Tour Rome, read our guide to San Clemente’s Catholic history for background on the archaeological levels visited at the start of the route.

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