Rome: Basilica of San Clemente Underground Visit

Highlights

• Explore all underground levels of the Basilica of San Clemente in Rome
• Visit the medieval basilica and admire its magnificent mosaics and frescoes
• Discover the hidden 4th-century church beneath the present basilica
• Descend into a first-century Roman district buried underground
• Visit the ancient Mithraeum dedicated to the god Mithras

Description

Meet your host at Via Capo d'Africa 15, just a short walk from the Colosseum, before beginning an unforgettable journey through the different layers of Rome’s past.

Unlike most churches in Rome, San Clemente allows visitors to travel back through multiple centuries simply by descending underground. During this guided tour, explore all levels of the complex, uncovering the remarkable story of how one civilization was built upon another.

Begin in the present-day Basilica of San Clemente, a beautiful medieval church renowned for its stunning mosaics, ancient frescoes, and rich Christian heritage. Learn about the church's history and its importance within Rome's religious landscape.

Next, descend into the 4th-century basilica hidden beneath the current church. Here, your guide will reveal some of the earliest Christian artworks in Rome, including well-preserved frescoes and inscriptions that provide a rare glimpse into the development of Christianity during the Late Roman Empire.

Continue even deeper underground into the ancient Roman level, where you will discover the remains of a first-century Roman neighborhood. Explore the atmospheric streets, buildings, and the famous Mithraeum, a mysterious underground temple dedicated to the god Mithras, one of the most important mystery cults of ancient Rome.