Catacombs of Priscilla

The Catacombs of Priscilla, located along the Via Salaria in Rome, represent one of the most important and fascinating underground complexes in the city, often referred to as the “Queen of the Catacombs” due to the high concentration of martyrs and popes buried there. This vast labyrinth of underground galleries, extending for about 13 kilometers, was used by early Christians between the 2nd and 4th centuries as a burial place and refuge during persecutions. The catacombs are named after the noble Roman Priscilla, who likely donated the land for the construction of the cemetery. According to some sources, Priscilla was the wife of Manius Acilius Glabrio, a Roman consul who converted to Christianity and was martyred. The structure is divided into three main areas: the arenarium, originally used as a tuff quarry; the cryptoporticus of a large Roman villa; and the underground burial area of the Acilius Glabrio family. One of the most distinctive features of the Catacombs of Priscilla is the extraordinary collection of frescoes, which provide a unique window into the life and beliefs of early Christians. Particularly famous is the Greek Chapel, a large square room with an arch decorated with 3rd-century frescoes. Here, you can admire biblical scenes from both the Old and New Testaments, including the famous fresco of the “Fractio Panis,” depicting seven people seated around a table, likely participating in a funeral banquet or Eucharistic rite. This fresco is often interpreted as one of the earliest representations of the Last Supper. The Greek Chapel also contains what many scholars consider the oldest known Marian painting, dating back to the 3rd century, showing the Virgin Mary with the Baby Jesus in her lap. This representation is of fundamental historical importance, as it predates the Council of Ephesus in 431, which officially declared Mary as the Mother of God. Additionally, there is a fresco of the Good Shepherd, a Christian symbol of Christ protecting his flock, adapted from pre-Christian images of shepherds carrying animals on their shoulders. Throughout the passages and galleries of the catacombs, there are numerous loculi, rectangular niches carved into the walls and intended for burials, often closed with marble or terracotta slabs. These loculi were mainly used for the poor, while cubicula, small private rooms, were reserved for wealthier families. Among the most significant tombs are those of numerous martyrs and two popes: Marcellinus and Marcellus I, buried here between the 3rd and 4th centuries. Another element of great interest is the so-called “Sarcophagus Museum,” which houses a collection of decorated sarcophagi found in the catacomb. This museum offers a glimpse into Roman funerary sculpture and the burial practices of early Christians, with specimens depicting biblical scenes and Christian symbols such as the ichthys, the fish, a Greek acronym for “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.”