St Sebastian Catacombs Tour in Rome
The St Sebastian Catacombs Tour explores one of the most important early Christian sites on Rome’s ancient Appian Way. Visit the Basilica of St Sebastian Outside the Walls, descend into the Catacombs of St Sebastian and discover the martyr’s tomb, ancient mausoleums and the place where St Peter and St Paul were once venerated together.
With a knowledgeable Catholic guide and admission to the catacombs included, this tour connects archaeology with the faith of Rome’s first Christians. It is also a visit to one of the traditional Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome, associated with the pilgrimage promoted by St Philip Neri.
Who Was St Sebastian?
St Sebastian was a Christian martyr of the persecution under the Emperor Diocletian. Ancient tradition remembers his courage, his witness within imperial Rome and his burial beside the Appian Way. His devotion became so important that the catacombs and the basilica eventually took his name.
Your guide will distinguish the ancient historical evidence from later traditions while explaining why St Sebastian became one of the best-known Roman martyrs and a powerful example of fidelity under persecution.
The Catacombs of St Sebastian
The site was originally known as ad catacumbas, meaning “near the hollow”. The name later became the general word used for Rome’s underground Christian cemeteries. Beneath the basilica are galleries, burial places and three richly decorated second-century mausoleums that were later used within a Christian funerary landscape.
The underground visit reveals frescoes, stucco decoration, ancient inscriptions and the development of Christian burial beside the Appian Way. Because the catacombs may be visited only with their authorised guides, your included admission joins the official underground visit; your Crucis Catholic guide provides the wider spiritual and historical context before and after it.
The Memoria Apostolorum
One of the site’s greatest treasures is the Memoria Apostolorum. According to ancient Christian tradition, the relics of St Peter and St Paul were hidden and venerated here during the persecutions of the third century. Hundreds of surviving graffiti invoke the two Apostles and bear witness to early pilgrimage at the site.
The fourth-century basilica was originally known as the Basilica of the Apostles. This apostolic memory makes St Sebastian’s far more than an ordinary catacomb visit: it is a place where archaeology preserves evidence of the prayer and devotion of the early Church.
The Tomb and Relics of St Sebastian
In the catacombs, see the monumental crypt associated with the original burial of St Sebastian. Back in the basilica, venerate the martyr at the chapel and tomb dedicated to him and admire the sculpture of the saint beneath the altar.
The basilica’s Chapel of Relics preserves an arrow associated with St Sebastian’s martyrdom and part of the column to which tradition says he was bound. It also contains a stone bearing footprints associated with the Quo Vadis tradition: Christ’s encounter with St Peter as the Apostle fled Rome.
One of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome
St Sebastian Outside the Walls is one of the traditional Seven Pilgrim Churches visited on the route popularised by St Philip Neri. Its location beyond the historic walls, apostolic memory and connection with an early martyr make it an essential pilgrimage church.
Read the history and route in our article, The 7 Pilgrim Churches of Rome Pilgrimage Tradition: A Journey of Faith with St Philip Neri.
- Explore an ancient Christian catacomb on the Appian Way
- Learn the life and martyrdom of St Sebastian
- Visit the Memoria Apostolorum of St Peter and St Paul
- See decorated Roman mausoleums, inscriptions and early Christian burials
- Venerate sacred relics in the basilica
- Understand the church’s place in the Seven Churches pilgrimage
Plan Your Visit
The catacombs contain steps, narrow passages and uneven ancient surfaces and are not fully accessible. Comfortable footwear is recommended, and visitors with mobility concerns should contact us before booking. Photography is not permitted underground.
The tour departs at 3pm on Fridays. Please arrive promptly so the group can join the authorised catacombs visit.
Explore our Seven Pilgrim Churches tours, or undertake the complete route with our 7 Pilgrim Churches – 4-Day Rome Pilgrimage. Other individual pilgrim-church visits include the St Lawrence Pilgrim Church Tour and the Holy Cross Pilgrim Church Tour.
| MEETING POINT | In front of the entrance to the Basilica of St Sebastian, Via Appia Antica. Precise Google Maps location What3Words: parkway.stop.lookout |
| FINISHING LOCATION | Inside the Basilica of St Sebastian |
| DEPARTURE TIME | 3pm Fridays |
| DURATION | Approximately 1 hour |
| DRESS CODE | Comfortable clothing covering shoulders and knees; suitable footwear for uneven underground surfaces |
| INCLUDED | Knowledgeable Catholic guide Catacombs admission ticket Taxes |
| NOT INCLUDED | Transport to the meeting point Guide gratuity |
Additional information
| Ticket Type | Adult (16+), Student ID, Child (under 16) |
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The Life and Martyrdom of St Sebastian
Begin outside the basilica with the story of St Sebastian, his Christian witness during the persecution of Diocletian and the traditions surrounding his martyrdom and burial on the Appian Way.
A Pilgrim Church on the Appian Way
Discover why St Sebastian Outside the Walls became one of the traditional Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome and how St Philip Neri renewed this ancient pilgrimage.
The Ancient Catacombs and Mausoleums
Descend with an authorised catacombs guide into the underground cemetery. Explore galleries and three decorated second-century mausoleums with surviving frescoes, stucco and inscriptions from the ancient funerary site.
The Memoria Apostolorum
Visit the area where, according to ancient tradition, the relics of St Peter and St Paul were venerated together. See evidence of early pilgrimage in the hundreds of surviving invocations to the Apostles.
The Crypt of St Sebastian
See the monumental crypt associated with the original burial of St Sebastian and learn how devotion to the martyr eventually gave its name to the entire complex.
The Basilica and Chapel of Relics
Return to the basilica to venerate St Sebastian and visit the Chapel of Relics. See an arrow and part of a column associated with his martyrdom, together with the footprint stone linked to the Quo Vadis tradition.
In front of the entrance to the Basilica of St Sebastian. Please check carefully the map links below which show the location of the meeting point accurate to 3 square metres.
See precise Google Map location
What3Words address: parkway.stop.lookout
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