They are situated along the Appian Way, after the Church of Quo Vadis. Tens of Martyrs, sixteen pontiffs and many Christians were buried in them.They were named after the deacon Callixtus who, at the beginning of the third century, was appointed by Pope Zephyrinus as the administrator of the cemetery and so became the official cemetery of the Church of Rome.
How the tour works
Coming back from Vatican Museums, you will have a break at Satirucus Restaurant. At the end of your lunch at 2/2,30 PM you will find your private car outside the agency/restaurant.
You will be at St. Callixtus Catacombs in 30 minutes. An English professional guide will accompany you. During your visit the driver will wait in front of Catacombs to bring you to your Hotel when the tour finishes.
ST. CALLIXTUS CATACOMBS
Via Appia Antica, 110 – km. 1,8
The crypt of the Popes
It is the most important and venerated crypt of the cemetery, called "the little Vatican" as it was the official burial place of nine popes and, probably, of eight dignitaries of Rome's 3rd century Church. In the walls you can still see the original inscriptions, in Greek, of five popes. On four tombstones, near the name of the pope, there is the title of "bishop", since the Pope was regarded as the head of the Church of Rome, and on two of them there is the Greek abbreviation of MPT for "Martyr".
Here are the names of the five popes: Pontianus, Antherus, Fabian, Lucius and Eutichian. In the front wall was laid to rest Pope Sixtus II, a victim of emperor Valerian's persecution.
