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- English
A basilica above an older church. A sanctuary of Mithras hidden beneath the streets. In Rome, sometimes all it takes to travel through the centuries is to walk down a staircase.
Join a shared guided walk through four basilicas: Santa Maria Maggiore, Santa Prassede, Santi Silvestro e Martino ai Monti, and San Clemente. Admire the golden mosaics of Santa Prassede and the Chapel of Saint Zeno, then descend to the ancient rooms beneath San Martino ai Monti.
Walk across Colle Oppio for an outdoor introduction to Nero's Domus Aurea. At San Clemente, explore the layers beneath the medieval basilica: an earlier church, Roman buildings and a Mithraeum. Deep below today's streets, hear water still flowing underground.
Discover how daily life and sacred spaces reveal Rome's transformation from the pagan world to Christianity. A journey for lovers of archaeology, art and the history of religions, with San Clemente underground admission included.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meet your guide by the Colonna della Pace in Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore. Please arrive 10 minutes before the tour starts.
The tour ends at the Basilica of San Clemente, Piazza di San Clemente, Rome.
Ticket Redemption Point
Itinerary
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1Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
Begin at the papal basilica on the Esquiline Hill. Discover its role in the history of Christian Rome through its architecture and mosaics. This visit covers the basilica; the museum, terraces and archaeological area are not included.
35 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Basilica di Santa Prassede
Step inside Santa Prassede to admire the medieval mosaics of the apse and the Chapel of Saint Zeno. Your guide explains the figures and symbols in these gold-ground decorations. Mosaic illumination during the visit is included.
25 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Basilica dei Santi Silvestro e Martino ai Monti
Visit the Basilica of Santi Silvestro e Martino ai Monti, then descend through the crypt to the ancient rooms of the Titolo Equizio. Discover traces of Roman life and the changes linked to the Christian use of these underground spaces.
35 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4Parco di Colle Oppio
Walk through the Colle Oppio area while your guide explains its imperial past and introduces Nero's Domus Aurea. This stop takes place outdoors and does not include admission to the Domus Aurea.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Basilica of San Clemente
Visit the upper basilica, then descend to the older church and the Roman buildings below, where a Mithraeum preserves the memory of the cult of Mithras. Discover how centuries of history were layered in one place, accompanied in the deepest rooms by the sound of water still flowing underground. Admission and the reservation for the excavations are included.
50 minutes • Admission ticket included
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- This walking tour includes stairs, uneven surfaces and underground spaces.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.
- Do not bring suitcases or bulky luggage.
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- This walking tour includes stairs, uneven surfaces and underground spaces.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.
- Do not bring suitcases or bulky luggage.
- Security checks are required at the entrance to Santa Maria Maggiore.
- The basilicas are active places of worship. Services or instructions from religious authorities may temporarily restrict access to some areas.
- The order of visits may change to accommodate access requirements and religious services.
- The tour lasts approximately 3 hours including walking between stops. Individual visit times are approximate.
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Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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