History of Catacombe di San Gennaro

Located near San Gennaro church, the catacombs were in use from the early era of Christianity to at least the later middle ages and possibly beyond.

The relics of San Gennaro, which were located there until the ninth century, are long gone, having been first moved to Benevento and then located in Naples Cathedral. Nevertheless, the catacombs are still a fascinating site and the burial place of many of the bishops of Naples from medieval times. In the fifteenth century, the Catacombs of San Gennaro acquired the sinister role of being the burial place of victims of plague.

Catacombe di San Gennaro today

Dimly lit and hauntingly atmospheric, the catacombs span two floors in which visitors can see sets of archways and well preserved frescos and mosaics, some having been created in the second century AD. The area of ​​the catacombs extends over 5600 square meters dug into the tuff of the Capodimonte hill and welcomes about 3000 burials.

In addition to the burials of common bishops and deceased, the Catacombs of San Gennaro include a pictorial-mosaic heritage from the inestimable value as Byzantine paintings of the 9th to 10th century AD and valuable mosaics of the 5th century. The highlight for many is the painting of San Gennaro himself.

Getting to Catacombe di San Gennaro

Catacombe di San Gennaro is located right in the heart of Naples, in southern Italy. If travelling via bus, lines 168, 178, C63 and R4 all alight at stop no. 3250 – Basilica dell’Incoronata – Catacombs of San Gennaro. If travelling by car, take the Naples Tangenziale and come off at exit no. 5 – Capodimonte. Turn right into Via Capodimonte and the Basilica will be on the right after 200 metres. If you prefer to travel by car, you can use the site’s car park free of charge.

History of Catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa

Located in Alexandria, Egypt, the Catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa (which translates to ‘Mound of Shards’) are considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages.

They were only rediscovered in 1900 when a donkey accidentally fell down one of the shafts leading into the catacombs.

Built in around the second century AD, the Catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa were likely originally created as a family tomb, but over the successive 300 years of its use, were expanded to accommodate 300 bodies. The catacombs consist of three levels which are cut into solid rock, and have a six-pillared central shaft which opens off the vestibule.

Within these three levels are a maze of rooms and passageways, including the triclinium, a banqueting hall for the relatives of the deceased at the time of the burial and at every anniversary of their death, and the main tomb.

Within the necropolis are a number of statues and archaeological objects of the Pharaonic funeral cult with Hellenistic and early Imperial Roman influences. Fascinatingly, the ornate decorations inside the catacombs are an eclectic blend of Roman, Greek and Egyptian; for instance, some statues are Egyptian in style, yet bear Roman clothes and hair styles.

Catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa Today

Today, visitors can reach the first level down a spiral staircase, which is where bodies were lowered on ropes, and then through a breach in the rotunda wall. This leads to the Hall of Caracalla where the bones of both humans and horses were found.

Whilst the bottom floor is now inaccessible due to flooding, the Catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa remain a truly incredible site.

You can easily walk to the catacombs from Pompey’s Pillar, which is also located in Carmous.

Getting to Catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa

From the centre of Alexandria, the Catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa are reachable in around 15 minutes by car via Kanal Al Mahmoudeya Al Bahri. For a long-ish walk through Alexandria’s scenic centre, the catacombs are reachable in around 50 minutes from the centre via Grinfel.

As aforementioned, you can reach the site from Pompey’s Pillar in about 7 minutes via Amood Al Swari/Pompey’s Pillar and Al Imam Al Azam.

Catacombs of San Callisto history

Built-in around 150 AD, the Catacombs of San Callisto span five floors and hold over half a million bodies, making them the largest of their kind in Rome. Whilst some believe that the practice of underground burials derived from the persecution of the Christians and thus the need to keep the graves safe, others think that this was just the custom at the time and due to the fact that they owned little land.

The most famous residents of the Catacombs of San Callisto are a number of popes of the third century, but not Pope St. Callixtus after whom the catacombs are named. Instead, this pope was responsible for part of the construction and expansion of the Catacombs of San Callisto.

The catacombs were realized in the early 3rd century AD in the area between the Appian Way and the Via Ardeatina during the papacy of Pope Zephyrinus, who entrusted the administration of the cemetery to the deacon Callixtus. These catacombs are one of the most significant sites of early Christianity and were the first public cemetery.

The Catacombs of St. Callixtus were the official cemetery of the Church of Rome for a long time. Sixteen pontiffs and fifty martyrs were buried here.

Catacombs of San Callisto today

Situated along the Appian Way, the ancient and impressive Catacombs of St. Callixtus occupy an area equal to about 15 hectares and have nearly 20 kilometres of galleries on several levels.

Visitors can travel through the dark and damp passageways, where you can see, in addition to the niches, some inscriptions with the names of the people that once occupied them. Opening times are usually Thursday to Tuesday from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00.

Getting to the Catacombs of San Callisto

To reach the catacombs by public transport, the 118 and 218 bus lines head to San Calixto and San Sebastián Catacombs. Some visitors choose to take a taxi or visit the Catacombs as part of a tour.

Catacombs of the Capuchins history

It is believed that people were initially buried in the Catacombs of the Capuchins because those interred there were found to remain mysteriously well-preserved. Over time, more and more people wished to be buried there and in later stages many were embalmed.

The oldest of the bodies at the Catacombs of the Capuchins is that of Silvestro da Gubbio, dating back to 1599. Like all of the people who were put to rest here in the early years of these catacombs, da Gubbio was a friar. Later, nobles and dignitaries would join the religious community in the Catacombs of the Capuchins. In fact, the corpses are divided according to categories such as vocation and even gender, for example, there is a women’s corridor.

Meanwhile, the last person to be laid to rest in the Catacombs of the Capuchins was two-year-old Rosalia Lombardo. Having died of pneumonia in 1920, Rosalia now lies under a blanket, a bow tied in her hair and her face bearing a calm expression. Tragically, one could mistakenly assume that this little girl was sleeping. She is actually known in Sicily as “sleeping beauty”.

Catacombs of the Capuchins today

This site also as one of our Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Italy.

Experiencing the Catacombs can be intense, especially when confronted with the reality of seeing the array displayed mummified bodies which lie underneath the Capuchin Monastery. Many of them have distorted expressions on their faces and often they are dressed in their best clothes.

Getting to the Catacombs of the Capuchins

The entrance to the Catacombs is located on via Pindemonte. There are several buses that pass nearby. The nearest metro stop is Palazzo Reale-Orleans.

In 1991, Petrovaradin Fortress was made a member of the Spatial Cultural-Historical Units of Great Importance list in Serbia.

Petrovaradin Fortress history

The remains of a Paleolithic settlement at the upper fortress was found dating back to 19,000 to 15,000 BC, establishing that since there has been continuous settlement on the site. Ramparts found in 2005 suggest their was a fortified settlement existed at Petrovaradin.

When the Romans arrived, they built Cusum the fortress, part of a border along the Danube. The turning point in the area’s history came in 1235 AD when King Bela of Hungry brought over a group of Cistercian monks from France. Between 1247 and 1252, the monks built a monastery on the Roman remains.

The fort was captured first by the Ottomans in 1526, falling after a 2-week siege, and then by the Austrians in 1687. Under the remit of Austrian Emperor Leopold I, the fortifications were destroyed and rebuilt in 1692. In 1694, Petrovaradin Fortress was attacked by Ottoman forces once again and subjected to a siege, but was not captured.

Renovated and reinforced in 1753 and 1776, Petrovaradin Fortress now contains a maze of underground passageways.

Petrovaradin Fortress today

Today, Petrovaradin Fortress is a popular tourist destination and visitors can tour its walls as well as its buildings. Walk up the sweeping steps and under the portico gateway, covered in moss, with the impressive whitewashed clock tower standing above.

One of the most popular aspects of Petrovaradin Fortress is its catacombs, which are believed contain the riches of Serbia’s medieval leaders.

Getting to Petrovaradin Fortress

Located on the banks of the Danube just down from the Varadinski Bridge. There is car parking just off Preradovićeva on the 100 road that leads into Novi Sad from the south.

St Peter’s Cemetery is the resting place of several eminent people including the composer, Michael Haydn, the architect of Salzburg Cathedral, Sanction Solaria and Mozart’s sister, Mannerly. The historic Salzburg Catacombs overlook this beautiful cemetery and are accessible via a stone staircase.

Inside the Salzburg Catacombs, visitors can wander through the altars, deciphering their fascinating inscriptions and taking in the murals.

Salzburg Catacombs history

The original construction of the Salzburg Catacombs is unknown, but they are believed to have been built by early Christians between 400 and 800 AD during the Migration Period. In antiquity, the caves had been seen as a mystical site that was a sacred burial place for Christian hermitage. It is likely that the caves were used for secretive worship during the turbulent later Roman period.

The monks based at St Peter’s Church – founded in the 7th century – were part of the oldest monastic order in Germany and the mountain, Mönchsberg, was named for the Benedictine monks there. At some later point, the catacombs gained two chapels, one of which was dedicated to the murdered Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket.

In 1965, the catacombs and cemetery featured in the film, ‘The Sound of Music’, starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. As the Trapp family flee the Nazis, they run through St Peter’s Cemetery to take refuge in the catacombs before escaping to Switzerland.

Salzburg Catacombs today

Today, the catacombs remain of great cultural significance. There are 2 levels open for public exploration: the ‘Gertruaden Chapel’ dating back to 1178 and the ‘Maximus Chapel’ which is 40 steps higher and believed much older. From the balcony within the catacombs, visitors will get a stunning view of Salzberg – not to be missed!

Entry is available all year round at only 2€ for adults. Be aware the stairs are very old and steep, mostly without a handrail, so wear comfortable and grippy shoes.

Getting to Salzburg Catacombs

Situated just a short walk from the river side, the Salzberg Catacombs are easily found on foot when exploring Salzberg. From Salzberg Festunsbahn Bergstation, the intercity bus station, the catacombs are 6 minutes walk away. Or you can get the 27 bus, O-buses 6, 7, 9, 10 or 12, to Salzberger Kunstverein/Karolinenbrücke and walk 8 minutes to the catacombs.

For those driving, there are two large 24 hour car parks along Siegmundstor road, 5 minutes away.

St Sebastian Catacombs history

The Catacombs of San Sebastian are situated along the first stretch of Via Appia. The martyred remains of San Sebastian were buried at the site in 350 AD, and a basilica was erected over the grounds to honour the saint in the early 4th century. At the time, the subterranean burial area became known as ad catacumbas, which means “near the hollows,” due to the excavated mines near the site. This was the first use of the term catacombs, and it has since signified underground Christian burials chambers.

The many catacombs of Rome are the remnants of early Christianity, a reminder of a time when persecuted Christians would bury their dead in underground chambers outside the city walls. Several examples of these subterranean cemeteries still exist, with the St Sebastian Catacombs listed among the best known.

Since the site was erected, many pilgrims have come to visit, often viewing the relics held at the basilica as well. The basilica is dedicated to San Sebastian, who was martyred, and it houses the arrow that allegedly struck San Sebastian during his murder.

Besides the arrow relic, the basilica also possesses a set of marble footprints, that are attributed to Jesus, during his walk to Rome along the Via Appia.

There are limited historical sources on Saint Sebastian himself but the spread of his cult has continued for millennia, and still exists today, as many as three municipalities in Italy bear his name, and many others venerate him as patron saint. Examples include the Spanish port of San Sebastián, the island of Sao Sebastiao in Brazil, facing San Paolo.

St Sebastian Catacombs today

Today over 40 catacombs still exist underneath the territory of Rome covering approximately 150 kilometres on multiple levels.

Comprised of four levels of burial passages, the St. Sebastian Catacombs are believed to have once held the remains of their namesake, but he is now buried in the basilica above. Entry to the St. Sebastian Catacombs also includes a guided tour.

Getting to St Sebastian Catacombs

As with the rest of the Archeological Park of Appia Antica, the way to get to the basilica is by the 118 bus from Piramide or Circo Massimo metro stations. From the Arco di travertino metro station visitors can take bus 660 or from San Giovanni, bus 218.

The Catacombs of Paris history

The Catacombs are underground quarries encompassing a portion of Paris’ old mines near Place Denfert-Rochereau and, at the time, were outside the city gates.

The official decision to use the quarries was made on 9 November 1785 and they were blessed on 7 April 1786, following which bones from the Saint-Nicolas-des-Champs cemetery were moved there. Further remains were amassed at the Catacombs of Paris over the years, including those who died in several riots during the French Revolution.

At first, the bones were deposited in a rather haphazard manner and the ossuary simply piled up. Eventually, they were organized and displayed in the way that you see them today.

Since the first day they were complete, the Catacombs have been an object of curiosity, even for royalty. In 1787, Lord of d’Artois, who became King Charles X, went down there with the ladies from the Court. In 1814, François 1st, Emperor of Austria, went to visit and explore them while he was in Paris.

In 1860, Napoleon III went there with his son. The catacomb walls are also covered in graffiti dating from the eighteenth century. Everyone has left their mark on this place. Towards the end of the 18th century, the catacombs became a tourist attraction and have been open to the public on a regular basis from 1867.

In slightly more recent history, the series of tunnels that are connected to the Catacombs were used by the French Resistance in World War Two, and rave parties flourished there during the 1990s. Victor Hugo also used his knowledge about the tunnel system when he wrote Les Misérables. In 1871, communards killed a group of monarchists in one chamber.

The Catacombs of Paris today

Overall, approximately six million human skeletons lie within the Catacombs of Paris.

In the dark galleries and narrow passages, you’ll see bones arranged in a macabre display. The Catacombs are eerie, quiet, dark, damp, and slighly depressing. Nonetheless, the fascinating, unusual and somewhat haunting tourist attraction that is The Catacombs of Paris is well worth a visit for those who are not claustrophobic or easily spooked.

A tour of the Catacombs takes approximately an hour and involves climbing 83 steps.

Getting to The Catacombs of Paris

The address of The Catacombs is 1 av. du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy 75014 Paris. If travelling via Metro or Réseau Express Régional, Denfert-Rochereau is the closest station to the site. If travelling via Bus use routes 38 or 68.

For those visiting the catacombs via car, there is paid parking at Boulevard Saint-Jacques (roughly at 10 minute walk away).

History of Via Appia Antica

In 66 BC, Julius Caesar became the curator of the Appian Way and, to gain crucial electoral votes, borrowed significant sums to restore the ancient highway.

Over the centuries, several important events are said to have occurred along Via Appia Antica and, perhaps most notably, Christian legend has it that it was the road on which Christ appeared to a fleeing St. Peter, convincing him to return to Rome, after which he was executed and martyred.

In ancient Rome, the Via Appia Antica was a popular location for tombs and catacombs, many of which are scattered along the road today, including the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella. Christian catacombs such as the Catacombs of San Callisto and the St. Sebastian Catacombs can also be found there.

Via Appia Antica today

Other impressive monuments on the Via Appia Antica, which became the route to the affluent suburbs of Rome, include the Villa and Circus of Maxentius, the Villa dei Quintili and the Baths of Caracalla.

With such a clear route to so many incredible monuments, the Via Appia Antica offers tourists a great way to explore the road’s history, which is so inextricably intertwined with that of Rome. Today, the Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica oversees much of the site.

Probably the best way to travel along Via Appia Antica is by public transport. Indeed, it is closed to private traffic on Sundays and on holidays. For itineraries along Via Appia Antica, check the official website.

Getting to Via Appia Antica

The Via Appia Antica starts at the edge of Rome, extending outwards. From the city centre, the start of the road is a 15 minute drive via Via Cavour. A number of buses also run to the stop called Catacombe S. Callisto, which is a popular visitor attraction. By foot, it’s just over an hour via Via Merulana.