Rome: Underground Temples and Crucifixion Relics Walking Tour
Overview
About
Explore the hidden temples and relics of Rome's underground world on this unique walking tour. Discover the secrets of the city's ancient past, including the relics of crucifixion.
What you'll do
What is included?
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
What is not included?
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- 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.
- Not recommended for people with claustrophobia
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
Meet your host
Itinerary
Rome Sacred Site Pilgrimages Itinerary (2026 Guide) – What You'll See & Do
Explore the full itinerary for Rome: Underground Temples and Crucifixion Relics Walking Tour in Rome, Italy. This sacred site pilgrimages experience includes 5 stops over 1 day. Duration: 4 hours. Activity level: Moderate.
Here is the starting point
Basilica of San Clemente
- You will enjoy a fascinating journey deep underground St. Clement's Basilica, a few meters away from the Colosseum.
- You will go through three layers of ancient monuments built on top of each other, and learn about forgotten pagan cults, early Christianity, and mystic symbolism.
- You will visit the best preserved Temple of Mithras and touch the underground river flowing below the streets of Rome and below the Colosseum.
- You will marvel at ancient mosaics and at the stories they portray.
- You will appreciate the intimacy of a small group of maximum 10 people
Arcibasilica di San Giovanni in Laterano
- Having learned about paganism, the early persecutions and the martyrs, make 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 the ancient frescos and hear about Emperor Constantine and why he legalized Christianity in 313.
Pontifical Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs
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.
Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
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.
Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major
This concludes the tour.
