Underground Temples and Proto-Christian Basilicas Guided Tour

Take a fascinating journey through underground temples and four impressive churches to understand the early stages of Christianity. See original relics from the Crucifixion of Christ and soil from the Holy Land.

Highlights

• Venture deep underground the Basilica of St. Clement
• Find an ancient Mithraic Temple and an underground river
• Marvel at ancient frescos and golden mosaics
• Learn stories and legends about early Christianity
• See the Holy Stairs, a nail from the Crucifixion, and other Holy Relics
• Enjoy full on-site assistance

About

Take a fascinating journey through underground temples and four impressive churches to understand the very early stages of Christianity. Marvel at ancient frescos and golden mosaics. See original relics from the Crucifixion of Christ and soil from the Holy Land.

Start your tour in the magnificent Basilica of Saint Clement and venture deep underground below its foundations. Journey through several layers of history and earth down to the ancient pagan temples underneath and gradually uncover the structures built on top of it.

Standing at a site of a Mithraic cult, find out about the environment of paganism and how that led to the Christian persecutions. Learn about St Clement (the third pope after St Peter) while standing in the 1st century structure that was once his home. See the same ancient underground stream still running also below the Colosseum.

Journey higher into the 4th Century Basilica, built on top of St Clement’s house, to admire the preserved ample spaces and frescoes, and learn about the scenes and the lives of the martyrs they portray.

From there, venture into the impressive 12th Century Basilica built on top of the 4th Century one. Marvel at the stunning golden mosaics and learn about their symbolism and how the faith was communicated in the early Church.

Having learned about paganism and the early persecutions and the martyrs, take a walk to the Cathedral of Rome, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, and find out why it is known as “Mother and head of all churches on Earth”.
Be impressed by the beauty of the golden interior and ancient frescos, and hear about Emperor Constantine and why he legalized Christianity in 313.

Learn about the Emperor’s mother, St. Helena, and her pilgrimage to Jerusalem to recover the artifacts safeguarded by the early underground church in the Holy Land. Among those, see the Holy Stairs, the original stairs of the praetorium which Jesus climbed at his judgment.

Finally, walk to the church built with earth brought from the Holy land, the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, and see the other Holy Relics secured by Helena including a nail from the Crucifixion, the walnut board Pontius Pilate put above the cross, as well as the wood of the Cross Jesus was crucified on. See also fragments of the wall from the cave of the nativity in Bethlehem and two thorns of the crown of the Passion of Christ.

Important information

• An instant confirmation will be received at the time of booking
• Please be at the meeting point 5 minutes before the tour starts in order to complete the signup and setup the headsets
• An appropriate dress-code is required in order to enter the churches: knees and shoulders should be covered
• Wear comfortable walking shoes: a moderate amount of walking is involved
• This tour is not wheelchair-accessible
• This tour is subject to weather conditions and/or liturgic-calendar events. If canceled you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
• This tour will have a maximum of 8 participants

Meeting point

Meet at the TouriksPoint at Via di San Giovanni in Laterano 132. Please arrive 5 minutes before your scheduled start time.

Cancellation Policy

• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the starting time of the experience
• Full refunds are not possible for cancellations made after the 24 hours
• Amendments are not allowed after the 24 hours and are always subject to availability and price changes
• No refunds in case of no-show on the part of the customer
• If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
• If the tour is canceled due to COVID-19 issues, Touriks grants a full refund (not vouchers)