Catacombs are large underground cemeteries used by Christian and Jewish communities between the 2nd and the first half of the 5th century. The largest complex of catacombs is found in Rome, hosting approximately 60 excavations. Visiting these ancient cemeteries through their long tunnels and passages, will allow you to explore the rituals, customs, and traditions of the ancient Romans. The ancient term to designate these monuments is “coemeterium”, which derives from Greek and means “dormitory”, as for Christians the burial of the corpses is a temporary moment awaiting the final resurrection. In fact, while the pagans used to cremate the bodies of the dead, the Christians chose to be buried believing in Christ’s resurrection and the day of judgement. These underground structures were excavated into tuff, a fragmental rock easy to dig into, as it consists of the smaller volcanic detritus which is usually less stratified than solid grounds.
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The catacombs were the official cemetery of the Church of Rome in the 3rd century AD. Around half a million Christians were buried here, among them many martyrs and 16 popes.They are named after the deacon St. Callixtus who, at the beginning of the 3rd century AD, was assigned by Pope Zephyrinus to the administration of the cemetery. Since 1930 they have been entrusted to the custody of the Salesians of Don Bosco.
You walk along the ancient cobblestones past vast tombstones and spectacular countryside, you feel as though you've been transported back in time.
The small church of Quo Vadis is a small church situated in the Appian Way, it's the church where, legend tells, Christ met Peter as he was fleeing Rome; there Christ asked him "Quo Vadis" (where are you going?).
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