Exclusive After-Hours: Crypts, Catacombs & Bone Chapel Tour
Uncover the hidden, shadowy side of Rome on this unforgettable night-time tour through its most mysterious and macabre landmarks. Over 2.5 hours, immerse yourself in the hauntingly beautiful Capuchin Crypts and the ancient Priscilla Catacombs, where history and eerie ambiance blend under the cover of darkness. Begin your journey at the Capuchin Crypts beneath Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini, a site adorned with intricate mosaics crafted from the bones of over 4,000 monks—a chilling yet reflective meditation on mortality. Then, delve into the labyrinthine Priscilla Catacombs, often called the “Queen of the Catacombs,” where ancient tombs, stunning frescoes, and the earliest depiction of the Virgin Mary transport you to the secret world of Rome’s early Christians. Guided by expert narration and lantern light, this tour reveals a thought-provoking and atmospheric glimpse into the city’s hidden depths, leaving you with a new appreciation for its darker history.
Options
Guided Evening Tour
What's included in Exclusive After-Hours: Crypts, Catacombs & Bone Chapel Tour
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Museum and Crypt of Capuchins Friars
The Capuchin Crypt sets the tone for the tour. Capuchin monks used the bones of nearly 4,000 of their brothers to decorate this somber space in intricate floor-to-ceiling designs, earning it the macabre nickname of ‘the Bone Chapel’. Fewer visitors brave the Bone Chapel after dark, so you’ll have space to examine every detail of this strange place of worship, from an actual skull-and-crossbones to chandeliers made of human vertebrae. Your guide will tell you the theories, but it’s up to you to draw your own conclusions about the meaning of the crypt’s skeletal furnishings.
Catacombe di Priscilla
An air-conditioned coach will take you from here to your second site, the Catacombs of Priscilla. No other tour is permitted to enter these hallowed tunnels after-hours. Almost 2,000 years ago, early Christians took shelter here to bury their dead and practice their forbidden faith. With no other visitors around, and with your expert, English-speaking guide to relay the history of the tombs and tunnels, you can truly experience the atmosphere of this sacred spot. Follow the setting sun down into Rome’s mysterious underworld – and you’ll never see the city the same way again.
Inclusions
- After-hours access to the Capuchin Crypts & Bone Chapel
- After-hours access to the Catacombs of Priscilla
- Transport by air-conditioned coach
- English Speaking Expert Tour Guide
- Audio guided tour of the Capuchin Crypts
- Gratuities to your awesome guide
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- In the center of Piazza Barberini, by the large Triton (Tritone) fountain. Piazza Barberini is located at the metro stop “Barberini” on metro line A (red line).
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
• It is the responsibility of all visitors to be at the meeting point 15 minutes before departure. Guests arriving after departure cannot be accommodated & missed tours or tickets cannot be refunded • Our City Wonders team will be wearing blue City Wonders polo shirts or jackets to be easily recognizable at the meeting point. • This service ends at Piazza Barberini around 7:30pm • This tour involves a fair amount of walking; comfortable shoes are recommended • We regret that we are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or any impairments requiring special assistance. We are also unable to accommodate strollers or baby carriages on our group tours • Entrance into churches requires a strict dress code. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. City Wonders cannot be held responsible for refused entry due to improper dress
