Hidden Rome: Capuchin Crypts Semi-private Guided Tour

Historian brings past to life with great passion and knowledge…. He was a brilliant scholar of the time

Elena was a friendly, informative and fun tour guide. We were on multiple tours with her and she is super knowledgeable. Kudos.

Our guide Paola did an excellent job explaining the history of the Capuchins and moved at a good pace. The tour was informative and interesting.

Gaga was a great guide, extremely knowledgeable and passionate about her church. We really enjoyed our time in the catacombs. Absolutely a must do in Rome!

Upon booking it stated that it was a semi private tour but my husband and I were the only two signed up so it was an extra treat. Clarissa was excellent ~ had a lot of great knowledge and answered all of our questions. A must do while in Rome!

Very interesting tour. We would have liked more time in the museum. We felt rushed during this first part of the tour.

This tour was incredible, one of the most fascinating experiences I’ve ever had. It’s labeled a semi-private tour, but my husband and I were the only ones. Our guide, Ursus, was extremely knowledgeable and shared lots of details. The meetup was very smooth, and he described the Barbarini area very well. It’s about 100 yards from Fontana Del Tritone to the Capuchin Museum. Ursus took us through the Capuchin Church and gave us an overview of the Capuchin monks’ history (and beautiful paintings, which he explained). We had been warned that the actual crypts were “creepy”, but we found them haunting, crafted meticulously with love and amazing detail. I will say that I’m a retired nurse, which may have lessened the “creepy” factor considerably, but I’d describe it more as spiritual. But maybe I’m weird. I’ve never seen anything like it anywhere in the world.

My family had an amazing tour of the Crypts and Catacombs with Maryam. She was an amazing and well educated guide who provided the history and detail necessary to properly understand the Capuchin monks roots and the start of the skull crypts that are incredibly still intact today. Maryam was a delightful and enthusiastic guide who covered a lot of fascinating and historical information in just a few hours. If you love ghost tours and cemeteries, this is a must do tour when in Rome. The most fascinating part of the tour for us was when we went over to the church by bus and Francesca took over our tour to take us underground into centuries old catacombs that were built and used by the Roman’s. Excavation is still going on currently and it’s an almost eerie feeling to behold.

A unique experience in Rome, if you have free time it is a quick & interesting tour with a lot of history.

This was such an interesting experience! Clarissa was a great guide and shared so much knowledge about the cappuchin monks and how they worshipped!

It was more awe inspiring than I could imagine. It reminds all that time flies and that life is not permanent.

Our guide was great. Just didn’t love the tour. The catacombs were interesting. I would skip this one .

We did the combo tour and loved it. Laura was a fantastic guide for the catacombs. The catacombs was a fun and interesting tour. If you’re claustrophobic, you may have trouble at the first stop in the small walkways in the catacomb area. Walking/stairs wise: First catacombs were normal set of stairs then some inside that were stone but only 3-5 each time. The church has some steps up to the church (normal staircase) and then down into the crypt. Bus takes us everywhere though which is very nice. The ghost tour was good. I think that one will definitely depend on your guide though to how much you enjoy it. There’s a break between the 2 tours and you’re on your own that time and to get to the next meetup. There were a couple good stories and the walking isn’t too bad (though if you’ve been walking all day it may be a bit much).

Both tours were good, with engaging guides (both of whom had some inaccuracies in their explanations but it worked for entertainment purposes). We didn't go to St. Clemente Church as mentioned in the catacombs tour explanation, but the church we did go to was very interesting. Sabina was very knowledgeable. The evening tour had the time listed incorrectly (we thought the tour began at 9 but that was check in time with tour at 9:15) so we were a bit concerned but Sami made up for it with his entertaining presentation. Note: there is a LOT of walking and stairs but it was a lot of fun.

I only did the catacombs & Crypts tour as the guide had to cancel the ghost & mystery walk. Just as well as I was exhausted and ready to relax. The catacombs were fascinating and worth the time & effort. Comfortable bus and good guides.

Andrea was a great guide who really helped us to better understand the crypts. He made the tour very interesting and provided helpful and detailed information about everything we saw.

We had a great tour with Sami; perfect mix of history and culture and humor. The experience was wonderful from start to finish.

Guides were great hosts but they dropped the ghost/night tour entirely. Also, this was NOT an underground Rome tour, yet is worded as such. And the locations we visited had NO lines and never would. It is a pro-Christian, Christian history tour. But nothing about ancient Rome, or Rome pre-christianity. I would not have booked this if it had been advertised for what it really is. The best part was the catacombs. While the crypt was pretty over-hyped(not a church made entirely of human bones, but a church which has an Andy Worhol-esque installation w very finely curated human bones lining walls & ceilings. Kind of cool, but not as advertised. Very disappointed that they dropped off the 1.5 hour night walking tour. Also, equally disappointed that I click-bait walked into 3 hour Catholic Mass tour. 100% pro-christian proganda, and 100% pro-christian history lesson, entirely ignoring Rome itself. Not at ALL underground Rome. Again though, the guides were very good and fun. But, essentially, I felt like we were being shown around by a priest in training.

Barbara was an excellent tour guide who provided very good information in an entertaining and delightful way.

Guide was very good, however my wife and I were VERY DISAPPOINTED that we did not visit the Basilca di SAn Clemente AS PROMISED when we booked the tour. This was the only reason we booked this tour. I am requesting a refund !

The capuchin crypts were very interesting and our guide Heather did a great job in sharing the journey of the Catholic Church that overlaps both the crypts and catacombs. No photos allowed in the crypts or catacombs but it’s a great tour that also takes you outside the main city of Rome.

Best tour on our trip! Our crypts and catacombs guides were incredible, our ghost tour guide was the absolute best!

Enjoyed the tour guide, she was fabulous, friendly and funny. The catacombs are morbid. I’m more of a Paris Catacombs were more interesting to hear reason/story. Not my thing to see art from individuals displaying human bones as art.

Our guide for the first part was Andrea and she was a stellar guide. She dropped a lot of info and facts while keeping us moving. All three experiences with her were perfect. The bus was comfortable and we were grateful for the air conditioning. Everything started on time, all location exceeded our expectations. Ask for Andrea when you book, she was so much fun.

The five stars is strictly for the ghost/myth tour portion. Elisthia was amazing. The catacombs and crypts was disappointing. No bones any where despite the advertisement and the guides Andrea and Claire were okay but didn’t seem to know their information.

The tour of the crypts was really spectacular and Divan was a wonderful guide. It's really obvious that he is passionate about Rome's history and that comes across in your experience on the tour. The ghost and mystery walking tour wasn't what I was expecting, it was much, much better. Rob is incredible and a great story teller -- I was enthralled with each story, the walking rate was very easy, and I feel like I have a whole new appreciation for Rome at night. I strongly, stronly recommend these tours and particularly a tour with Rob!

Divan was a fantastic guide full of knowledge, stories and humor. He gave us tips on what places to see and where to eat in Rome. Our 20 year old daughter really enjoyed the tour, too.

This was a tour we didn't know much about but very glad we booked it! Our tour guide for the morning was Andrea. He gave us so much info including a wide range of history on Rome in general which was the one thing we were missing on our trip! The last crypt was the coolest with so many bones! The ghost tour on the evening was lots of fun, our guide Matteo was super friendly and took us to lots of sight we would've missed otherwise and gave us some fun facts and stories that gives you a different perspective on Rome completely! A must do for some fun!

We really enjoyed both tours. It was a long day, but full of great discoveries, places beyond "top 10". The sights were amazing, relatively close to each other with min time on the bus. Our afternoon guide Kamila was very personal and knowledgeable. Our evening walking tour guide Alithia did an amazing job combining mysterious and historical

After reading up on the description of the tour thought this would be ideal to cover 3 attractions with transport thrown in, firstly each site was really interesting definite must see whilst in Rome. Now with regards to transport and organisation - yes there was a coach transfer between attractions, however the Catacombs is the only attraction you are dropped at the door for, the other two the coach parks up away from the entrance and you have a walk to get to it, indeed after the initial meet up you have to walk to the coach! English speaking guides were ok but to be honest pronouciation and knowledge was limited. In hindsight I wouldn't do all these things on the same day. With regards to the Ghost and Mystery Walking Tour - the guide was great but it wasn't what we thought it would be - more a walking tour with guide and no typical funny ghost stories, all in all no sure this is worth the money!

Both the Crypts and Catacombs and Ghost/Mystery Walking Tour were something different to do on vacation and gave a different view of the history of Rome. There was a lot of variety in the sites we visited and the two tours dove tailed nicely with one another. Both tour guides were well versed and did a nice job including the group in their overviews. If you have visited other catacombs, like in Paris, this experience is very different. Aside of the Order of Cappuccino Monks, there are no bones to view. Everything has been cleared out.

My guide was Isa from Sweden and she spoke perfect English, but what was even better about her was she was phenomenal guide and really brought the history and tour alive. We were blown away the entire time and her comment of the architecture Lasagna that is Rome, has stuck with me and has been a fascinating fact to explain to everyone this tour; as we were not allowed to take pictures. THANK YOU ISA for the tour and making sure that even with my broken foot, I was with everyone and not falling behind!

Thank you Mikaela for an extremely informative and entertaining tour, I definitely recommend it, I especially enjoyed the bone catacombs and all the history and possible theories behind it

What I can say Fantastic,Amazing experience our guide Dimitri was best of the best I wish I had teachers like this in schools I wouldn't miss any day he was talking about everything in such a interesting way was pleasure do lessen and learn we couldn't be happier we got him best experience ever

Me and my hubby went for his birthday to Rome. Andrea was well informed, explained well and is really passionate about his job. He answered any questions we had. The group wasn't too big and the bus had A/C! Overall a very fun and interesting experience. They also told us where to go to eat/drink.

<p>Rebecca was fantastic and passionate about the crypts and catacombs and the church of skulls and skeletons was amazing.</p>

This tour was part of our full day of tours; it was preceded by the early admission Sistine Chapel tour and followed by Ghost and Mystery walking tour. It made for a full day but was worth it. This tour was for the Crypt and Catacombs. We were delighted that it also included a stop at Basilica Saint Clemente, which was not an advertised portion of the tour. We met up with our guide, Asha, at Fontana del Tritone in Piazza Barberini, boarded busses, as the first portion of the trip to the catacombs was outside the city walls. As an additional bonus, we traveled down the Appian Way to the Santa Domitilla catacombs. I can’t say enough about our guide ASHA. She was very informed, welcomed all questions and pointed out sights during our bus trip. She was a font of knowledge. There is a NO PHOTOGRAPHY policy once in the catacombs. It is lighted, but still very dark, but is an amazing tour that provides a look into how ancient Christian burials were handled and the difference between the rich and the poor. Then back on the bus for the trip back into the city and a stop at Basilica San Clemente to experience a time capsule from early roman time to present day in 3 levels. Then back on the bus, back to Piazza Barberini and the Church of Santa Maria Dell Concezione, home to the most odd, macabre, morbid but fascinating display of bones you will probably ever see. AGAIN, NO PHOTOGRAPHY policy enforced. After walking the crypts, the tour is over, you can visit the gift shop, and then you have about 3 hours until you meet your guide for the Ghost and Mystery Walking tour.

We really enjoyed the catacomb visit and explanations. The Capuchin portion of the tour was interesting, odd, macabre but understandable. Still a little set aside with what we took in. The ghost tour was very much fun. Our tour guide, Bleck(?), sorry if I slaughtered your name, was really a delightful part of this evening tour!

<p>Louise Kennedy was our tour guide for the Crypts and Catacombs and she WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!! I will never forget the tour and the information she gave us. If you love history and intrigue, THIS TOUR IS FOR YOU!! Thank you so much Louise, my mother and I had an unforgettable evening with you. </p> <p>We unfortunately didn't make it to the ghost and mystery walking tour.</p>

<p>Our guide was American and very Cris Angel like, he was a fabulous entertainer and very knowledge about the stopping spots along the way.</p>

<p>WOW!! Super cool tour! Great guide and the crypts were amazing to walk through.</p>

<p>A great value! So happy to have found this tour and that it was our introduction to Rome. <br/> For the Skip-the-Line Crypts and Catacombs tour, we were directed to Piazza Bernini at the Triton fountain were there was other groups meeting up at the same time. It got a little confusing, but as soon as everyone got checked in, it was all good. According to our host, the tour group was larger than expected and offered guests refunds or to book for another date. <br/> Everything in the description of the tour was delivered, and of the 3 sites we visited, the Capuchin Crypt was amazing. <br/> For the Ghost and Mystery Walking Tour, we met our host Sabrina on the steps of the SantAndrea della Valle at 9pm. Very fitting. Our animated host shared a lot of history of the popes and city, and interesting, spooky stories at Campo deFiori, Castel SantAngelo and Santa Maris dellOrazione e Morte. <br/> The ended close to midnight around the same location from where we started.</p>

<p>I loved the crypts and catacombs tour! Rebecca, our guide was wonderful. She even remembered everyone's name. She was so passionate about the sites, I could have listened to her for hours. Make sure you bring a jumper, it gets very cold down in the catacombs.</p> <p>I can not share the same passion for the ghost and mystery walking tour. One word would sum up the tour 'appalling'. We were given no headsets, so it was near impossible to hear our guide speak. Which in hindsight was probably a good thing. I have never been so bored in my life. I have no idea who wrote the tour, but I'm sure that Rome has more interesting stories than people throwing their rubbish on the streets or the need for a candle to light an alley. We were lead through countless back streets of Rome, which didn't feel safe at all. <br/> After an hour and a half, we arrived at Castel Sant'Angelo, where my mother and I broke away from the tour to catch a taxi. I don't feel that I'm being overly harsh that this tour was horrible because we were quickly joined at the taxi rank by 3 other couples, all desperately wanting the night to end.</p>

<p>Really great experience. Tour guides were passionate and very informative.</p>

<p>Very interesting! Wish we could have gotten pictures, but no pics in Catacombs! Mystery Walking Tour was very interesting! John was originally from the US and has such a PASSION for the telling of the history and such knowledge! Had a wonderful time!</p>

<p>The Crypts and Catacombs tour was great, very cool to be underground in Rome! The mystery walking tour was ok, not bad to have a guide show you around at night, but nothing too great as afar as mystery</p>

<p>Both tour guides were terrific and the tours were interesting. We enjoyed both tours</p>

<p>This trip was truly fantastic, our guides, Melanie and John were great, really bought everything to life and really knew thier stuff. Both tours were interactive, informative and fun. They could easily be double the length as I really felt we did not even scratch the surface of the places.</p>

<p>The first part of the tour - crypts and catacombs was great. We had Claudia as our guide, and she was brilliant. 5 stars for her tour. :)<br/> The second part, ghost and mystery tour of Rome was to say the least disappointing. Navid was our guide and he failed to deliver. 1 star for Navid and ghost tour.</p>