Catacombs of San Sebastiano

In the Bible

Peter's second letter speaks of “our beloved brother Paul”, who wrote with the wisdom God gave him.

2 Pet 3:15Consider also that our Lord’s patience brings salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him.

Tradition

In the 3rd century Christians honored Peter and Paul together here: hundreds of graffiti on a wall ask them for prayers. By one tradition their remains rested here for a time.

Here today

Galleries of tombs beneath a church on the Appian Way, with Roman mausoleums and the wall of graffiti; visits are guided.

Through the eyes of old pilgrims

We have been in the catacombs. It was like going down into a very deep cellar, only it was a cellar which had no end to it. … There are names, and Christian symbols, and prayers, or sentences expressive of Christian hopes, carved upon nearly every sarcophagus.Mark Twain, The Innocents Abroad, 1869

Official site

Before you travel, check your country’s travel advice. Opening hours and the rules of the sites change — see their official pages.

Land outlines: Natural Earth (public domain).