Italy Travel And Hotel Guide

Via Appia Antica begins at the Porta San Sebastiano , built in the fifth century, a little way on from which the church of Domine Quo Vadis signals the start of the catacomb stretch of road. Legend has this as the place where St Peter saw Christ while fleeing from certain death in Rome and asked “Where goest thou, Lord?”, to which Christ replied that he was going to be crucified once more, leading Peter to turn around and accept his fate. Continuing on for a kilometre or so you reach the catacombs of San Callisto (Jan-Oct & Dec Thurs-Tues 8.30am-noon & 2.30-5pm; L8000). All third-century popes (of whom San Callisto was one) are buried here in the papal crypt, and the site features some well-preserved seventh- and eighth-century frescoes.

Tags: antica, catacombs, death in rome, domine quo vadis, fate, fifth century, kilometre, porta, san callisto, signals, st peter