Catacombs of San Callisto

The Catacombs of San Callisto, located along the historic Via Appia Antica in Rome, represent one of the most important and vast funerary complexes in the Christian world. These catacombs, dating back to the mid-2nd century AD, cover an area of about 15 hectares and extend for almost 20 kilometers of galleries, reaching a depth of over 20 meters. They were the official cemetery of the Church of Rome in the 3rd century AD and host the burials of about half a million Christians, including numerous martyrs and sixteen popes. The name of the catacombs derives from Pope Callistus I, who was appointed by Pope Zephyrinus to administer the cemetery at the beginning of the 3rd century AD. During his pontificate, Callistus expanded and organized the funerary complex, making it a central burial place for the Christian community of Rome. Callistus himself was buried in the cemetery of Calepodio on the Via Aurelia, but the complex bearing his name became famous for its importance and vastness. The Catacombs of San Callisto are articulated on different levels and contain numerous areas of great historical and artistic interest. Among these, the most famous is the Crypt of the Popes, a rectangular hall illuminated by a large skylight, which houses the tombs of the popes who reigned between 230 and 283 AD. Nine popes and three bishops were buried here, and a marble plaque, recomposed by the archaeologist Giovanni Battista de Rossi, bears a poem composed by Pope Damasus in honor of the bishops buried in the crypt. Another area of great interest is the Crypt of Santa Cecilia, dedicated to the patron saint of sacred music. Santa Cecilia, a Roman matron who, according to tradition, took care to give worthy burial to Roman martyrs, was buried here. The crypt contains a fascinating statue of Santa Cecilia and frescoes illustrating episodes of her life. The Catacombs of San Callisto also contain numerous other crypts and cubicula decorated with ancient frescoes and Christian symbols. Among these, the Crypt of the Sacraments is particularly significant for its frescoes depicting biblical scenes and symbols of the Eucharist. In this crypt, one can admire representations of the Good Shepherd, the prophet Jonah, and the healing of the paralytic, testimonies of the devotion and art of the early Christians. One of the most fascinating aspects of the Catacombs of San Callisto is their origin and development during a period of persecution of Christians. The catacombs provided a safe and sacred place to bury the dead and celebrate religious rites in secret. Over time, they became a center of pilgrimage and a symbol of resilience and faith for the Christian community of Rome. Over the centuries, the catacombs fell into disuse and were forgotten until their rediscovery in the 19th century. The archaeologist Giovanni Battista de Rossi played a crucial role in bringing to light and studying the catacombs, contributing to the preservation of this important historical and religious heritage. Today, the catacombs are managed by the Pontifical Commission of Sacred Archaeology and entrusted to the Salesians of Don Bosco for the reception of pilgrims and guided tours.