Take a fascinating journey through an underground pagan temple and four impressive churches to understand the very early stages of Christianity. See original relics from the Crucifixion of Christ and soil from the Holy Land.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔  Live professional guide
✔  Entrance fees
✔  Headsets to hear clear your guide
✔  All fees and/or taxes
✖  Optional gratuities
✖  Hotel pickup and drop-off
Departure & Return
Departure:  ,

Meet at the TouriksPoint at Via di San Giovanni in Laterano 132, 15 meters from the Basilica of St. Clement. Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled start time.

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Itinerary
1
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

Duration:  1.25 hours

2
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.

Duration:  30 minutes

3
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.

Duration:  15 minutes

4
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.

Duration:  30 minutes

5
Choose to extend your journey to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where stunning mosaics and sacred relics offer insight into the church's importance in Christian history.

Duration:  60 minutes

Additional info
•  Public transportation options are available nearby
•  Specialized infant seats are available
•  Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
•  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
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Free cancellation
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Price:
From $79.5
Ticket:
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
duration:
3.5 hours
Guide in:
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Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.