Think you’ve seen all of Rome? Think again. The enigmatic Rome Underground lies beneath the cobblestone streets and majestic piazzas of the city, a maze of tunnels, crypts, and catacombs. In the Colosseum Underground, gladiator roars fill the air, and secret passageways reveal the hidden lives of early Christians.
Every step through these subterranean corridors uncovers a blend of mystery, history, and awe-inspiring architecture. Whether it’s bone-adorned crypts or ancient aqueducts, the Roman Underground tour offers travelers more than the surface-level charm of the Eternal City.
In this guide, we’ll tell you about some of the world’s most incredible underground wonders, along with tips for booking tours. Thus, you can explore hidden Rome in a way that is exciting and truly extraordinary.
What Is Rome Underground Called?
“Rome Underground” refers to the massive network of tunnels, hypogeums, catacombs, crypts, aqueducts, and buried monuments that exist beneath the streets. Through centuries of construction, decay, and rebuilding, Roman history has become a complex palimpsest, blending religious, military, and civic purposes.
Whether you explore ancient burial sites or secret chambers below churches, the Underground in Rome, Italy, preserves stories that can’t be fully appreciated from the surface.
Two Faces of the Rome Underground
When locals or guides talk about the Underground of Rome, they usually mean one of two very different worlds.
The first is ancient Rome’s hidden architecture—miles of tunnels, crypts, and forgotten chambers carved for burial, worship, or protection. Consider the hypogeum under the Colosseum, the labyrinth under medieval churches, or the catacombs. These spaces were shaped by survival, faith, and spectacle, and they continue to surprise.
The second is Rome’s underbelly: metro tunnels, sewer systems, and urban infrastructure that intersect with archeological treasures. There is never an easy way to dig here. Subway stations might uncover the remains of villas. An ancient temple floor could be uncovered during a road repair.
And that’s part of the magic. Beneath the surface, ancient and modern are tangled together so tightly you can walk from one century into another in the space of a few steps.
Top Must-Visit Sites in the Rome Underground
Exploring the hidden underground of Rome is an unforgettable journey through history, mystery, and architecture. From ancient tunnels to sacred catacombs, these sites reveal layers of the Eternal City rarely seen by casual visitors.
1. The Colosseum Hypogeum (Underground Arena)
Everyone knows the Colosseum’s arches and sweeping tiers. But few realize that the real drama began below ground, in the hypogeum, a labyrinth of stone corridors, trapdoors, and holding cells.
Down here, gladiators paced in the half-light, waiting for their moment. Animals such as lions, bears, and even giraffes were kept in cages before being hoisted into the arena through ingenious lifts. You can almost hear the muffled roar from above and feel the anticipation that once filled these cramped spaces.
Today’s Colosseum Underground tours let you walk those same corridors, giving you a completely different perspective on the spectacles that defined ancient Rome.
How to Visit the Colosseum Hypogeum
- Book in Advance: The hypogeum tours are limited and often sell out. Visit the official Colosseum website or contact a licensed tour operator if you want more information.
- Tour Options: Many tickets include access to the arena floor and Palatine Hill, providing a full experience above and below ground.
- Timing: Early morning tours are less crowded, offering a more immersive visit.
- Accessibility: Wear comfortable shoes, as corridors and ramps can be uneven.
2. The Roman Catacombs
Are the catacombs in Rome worth seeing? Absolutely. Visiting the catacombs provides a haunting yet serene glimpse into early Christian life, burial practices, and faith, revealing a hidden world beyond Rome’s bustling streets.
Stretching for miles beneath the city, they reflect the faith and resilience of early Christians. Out of 63 sites, only four are open to visitors—Priscilla, St. Sebastian, St. Callixtus, and Domitilla. Each offering unique features, from well-preserved frescoes to tunnels still housing bones.
On Via Appia Antica, visitors observe the secret world where early Christians lived, worshipped, and were buried.
How to Visit the Catacombs
- Booking: Guided tours are required for most catacombs. Tickets can be reserved online or through licensed operators.
- Tour Options: Tours typically include historical commentary, access to burial chambers, and explanations of frescoes and inscriptions.
- Timing: Early visits are recommended to avoid crowds and experience the quiet, reflective atmosphere.
- Accessibility & Safety: Be sure to wear comfortable shoes; corridors may be uneven and dimly lit.
3. Basilica of San Clemente
Within a few blocks of the Colosseum, the Basilica of San Clemente features three layers of history. The upper level is a 12th-century basilica, the lower level is a 4th-century church, and at the base is a 1st-century Roman house and pagan temple dedicated to Mithras.
Walking through these underground levels, visitors encounter frescoes, mosaics, and ancient stones.
Secret temples, apartments, and an underground stream reveal the dramatic shift of nearly 60 feet between ancient and modern ground levels.
How to Visit the Basilica of San Clemente
- Location: A short walk from the Colosseum.
- Booking: Tickets can be purchased on-site or online. Guided tours are recommended for the full context.
- Tour Highlights: Explore all three levels, including the Mithraic temple, medieval mosaics, and frescoed chapels.
- Tips: Choose shoes that are comfortable for stairs and uneven surfaces. Early visits help avoid crowds and allow for a more reflective experience.
4. Domus Aurea (Nero’s Golden Palace)
In 64 AD, Emperor Nero built himself a palace so lavish it shocked even Rome. Known as the Domus Aurea, or Golden House, it once glittered with gold leaf, frescoes, marble, and artificial lakes. Today, much of it lies hidden beneath a public park, but its surviving underground halls still hint at Nero’s vision of absolute luxury.
Walking into the Octagonal Room, you’ll see the same vaulted ceilings and painted walls that Renaissance artists once crawled into to admire when the ruins were first rediscovered. The space is dim and cool, but the details — even after centuries — are astonishing.
How to Visit the Domus Aurea
- Booking: Tickets must be purchased in advance, either online or through licensed tour operators.
- Tour Options: Access includes the underground pavilions, octagonal room, and terraces. Guided tours provide historical and artistic context.
- Timing: Early morning tours are less crowded and ideal for photography.
- Accessibility: Be sure to wear comfortable shoes; some areas involve stairs and uneven surfaces.
5. The Crypt of the Capuchin Friars
The Capuchin Crypt is unlike any other site in Rome—or anywhere else. Beneath the church of Santa Maria della Concezione, the bones of over 3,700 friars have been arranged into intricate patterns along the walls and ceilings. Skulls form arches. Vertebrae line doorframes. Even chandeliers have been crafted from human remains.
It’s not meant to be morbid but rather a reminder of the shortness of life and the importance of faith. One inscription reads, “What you are now, we once were; what we are now, you will be.”
The effect is both eerie and peaceful—a place where reflection comes naturally.
How to Visit the Capuchin Crypt
- Location: Beneath Santa Maria della Concezione, near Piazza Barberini.
- Booking: Tickets can be purchased on-site; guided tours are optional but enrich the experience.
- Tour Highlights: Explore underground chapels adorned with bone artwork and inscriptions emphasizing mortality and faith.
- Tips: Photography is often restricted; wear comfortable shoes for stairs. Respectful behavior is required, as this is an active religious site.
More Interesting Underground Sites in Rome Italy
Rome’s underground world is bigger than most people realize. Beyond the famous Colosseum hypogeum and catacombs, there are dozens of lesser-known sites where history hides in plain sight.
Vatican Necropolis
Beneath St. Peter’s Basilica lies a 1st-century burial ground, believed to be the resting place of St. Peter himself. It’s eerily quiet, with narrow walkways that pass by ancient tombs still bearing Latin inscriptions.
Vicus Caprarius (Trevi Underground)
Just steps from the Trevi Fountain, this underground network reveals the remains of a Roman apartment block and the aqueduct that once fed the fountain. You can hear the faint rush of water even today.
Stadium of Domitian (Piazza Navona Underground)
Under the lively piazza, the outlines of an ancient athletic stadium come into view. Multimedia exhibits recreate the roar of spectators from nearly 2,000 years ago.
Domus Romane di Palazzo Valentini
These excavated Roman houses are brought to life with light projections that “restore” faded mosaics and frescoes before your eyes.
Hadrian’s Villa Underground Tunnels
Just outside Rome, the Emperor’s sprawling retreat in Tivoli hides a network of service tunnels where supplies and servants moved unseen.
Case Romane del Celio
Tucked under a church, these rooms preserve colorful frescoes and everyday artifacts, offering a rare look into domestic life in ancient Rome.
Why Explore Rome Underground?
Walking through Rome’s underground feels different from any other kind of sightseeing. Above ground, the city dazzles with piazzas, fountains, and open-air ruins. Below, the atmosphere changes — cooler air, dim light, and a quiet that makes you lean in to listen.
You start to see the city’s history not as separate eras, but as one continuous story layered on top of itself. Temples became churches. Homes became chapels. Water channels became forgotten corridors. Every step feels like a bridge between centuries.
Whether you’re an archaeology lover, a history student, or just someone curious about what lies beyond the postcard view of Rome, these spaces offer something you can’t experience in the open air: the sense of literally walking back in time.
How Is So Much of Rome Underground?
Visitors often wonder, “Why is so much of Rome buried?” The answer is in the city’s survival strategy.
For over 2,500 years, Rome has been built, destroyed, and rebuilt—over and over. Floods from the Tiber, fires, earthquakes, and invasions—each left layers of debris. Instead of clearing the ruins, new structures were often built right on top.
Over centuries, this meant that streets, floors, and entire neighborhoods rose higher, while older ones slipped quietly into the ground below. In some parts of the city, you can walk down a few flights of stairs and find yourself standing where street level was in the Middle Ages or even in ancient times.
This is why an underground tour of Rome feels like a time machine. One staircase can take you from the 21st century straight into the 1st.
Tips for Booking Tours, Tickets & Navigation in the Rome Underground
Exploring Rome’s underground sites is unforgettable—but a little planning will make it even better. Here’s what seasoned travelers (and a few locals) recommend:
1. Book Guided Tours in Advance
Some places, like the Colosseum hypogeum and the Vatican Necropolis, only allow visitors with an official guide. Booking early online guarantees your spot and usually skips the long ticket lines.
2. Choose the Right Tour for You
- Highlights tours cover big names like the Colosseum, the catacombs, and the crypts.
- Special interest tours focus on themes like early Christianity, aqueducts, or secret chapels.
- Evening tours offer a more atmospheric, less crowded experience.
3. Check Ticket Options & Packages
Sometimes you’ll find combination tickets that include both above-ground and underground access—often for less than buying them separately.
4. Use Maps & Navigation Tools
Many tours give you a Rome underground map, but in larger sites like the catacombs, a GPS-enabled app or printed map can help you keep your bearings. Entrances don’t always match the street layout above.
5. Wear the Right Gear
Comfortable shoes are a must; stone floors can be uneven and slick. In summer, the cooler underground air can be refreshing; in winter, you may want a light jacket.
To Wrap Up
An exploration of Rome Underground is similar to walking through a living history book. From the Colosseum hypogeum to the sacred catacombs, every step reveals an aspect of the city’s past.
Above ground, Rome dazzles with fountains and piazzas. Below, it whispers stories of faith, power, and daily life. Booking a Rome Colosseum Underground Tour, wandering ancient catacombs, or marveling at Nero’s Domus Aurea ensures an unforgettable journey beneath the Eternal City.
Rome truly lives in layers, with eternity running not only across its skyline but also deep beneath its streets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an underground system in Rome?
Yes, Rome has extensive ancient and modern underground networks. These include catacombs, tunnels beneath monuments, buried houses, aqueducts, sewers, and metro systems intertwined with centuries of architectural history.
Is it hot in the catacombs in Rome?
In general, the catacombs are cool all year round. Their underground location maintains a stable, slightly damp temperature, offering relief from Rome’s summer heat and a quiet, reflective environment.
Can you wear shorts in the catacombs of Rome?
Yes, shorts are allowed, but modest clothing is recommended out of respect. Comfortable attire and shoes are essential due to narrow corridors, stairs, and uneven floors throughout the catacombs.
Can you tap on the Rome underground?
No, tapping or touching walls is discouraged. Many underground sites are fragile, with ancient stones, frescoes, and mosaics that require preservation for archaeological and historical integrity.
What were the underground passages like in the Colosseum?
The Colosseum’s underground passages, or hypogeum, consist of narrow corridors, cages, and chambers where gladiators and animals were held. Walking them gives a vivid sense of ancient Roman spectacle and tension.
How many bodies are buried in the catacombs under Rome?
Estimates suggest hundreds of thousands of individuals were interred in Rome’s catacombs over centuries. Only a fraction is accessible today, yet they still house thousands of early Christian remains.
