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Why You Should Tour The Catacombs When In Rome

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If you are planning a trip to Rome, you will want to be sure to include in your trip a visit to one or more of the catacombs. They are open year round except for Easter, Christmas, and New Years Day. Presently, there are five Roman catacombs open to the public. The largest and best known of the catacombs is that of St. Callistus (also spelled Callixtus). Each of the five early Christian catacombs closes one day each week, while the other four catacombs stays open. Wednesday is the day that the catacomb of St. Callistus is closed.

Exactly What Are the Catacombs?

What exactly are the catacombs? They are subterranean cemeteries created by the early Christians to bury their dead. They are primarily located outside of the city walls of ancient Rome.

They were created by digging out a very soft, porous sedimentary rock called tuffa. Before it is exposed to air, tuffa rock is very soft and relatively easy to excavate by hand tools. However, after it has been exposed to air, it gradually hardens. So the passageways carved out become firm instead of caving in.

The Meaning of the Term "Catacombs"

You may be wondering what is the origin of the word "catacombs." Surprisingly, the word originally had nothing to do with the early Christian burial sites. Instead catacumbas was simply a Latin word meaning "hollows." There is a section along the ancient Appian Way where tuffa rock predominates and where there are numerous hollows in the ground. The Romans called this area ad catacumbas, which means "by the hollows." It was in this location that the Christians decided to construct underground cemeteries.

Now, not too far from the Catacomb of St. Callistus, there is another underground cemetery named after a saintly Christian called Sebastian. Well, in the late 4th and the 5th centuries, a lot of pilgrims came to Rome to view these underground burial chambers. And maps and guides were made for these pilgrims.

In these guides and other documents, the cemetery of Saint Sebastian was marked with this notation in Latin: Cymiterium Catacumbas ad sanctum Sebastianum via Appia. The notation means: "The cemetery of the holy Sebastian in the hollows of the Appian Way."

Somehow, during the early Middle Ages, primarily through ignorance, people started referring to all of these underground cemeteries as "catacombs." And that is how the name got started.

Discovery of the Catacombs

During the late Medieval centuries, people quit visiting the catacombs, and they were ultimately forgotten. Because of this, vegetation grew around the entrances to the catacombs, and eventually there was no one who knew any longer where these underground tombs were located.

However, in the nineteenth century, an Italian archaeologist named Giovanni Rossi was examining different fields and orchards along the ancient Via Appia. He was hoping to find ancient Christian artifacts. One summer day, he was combing the grounds of a vineyard that lay adjacent to the Via Appia. Suddenly he came upon a fragment of hewn marble, which he examined.

The piece of marble had an inscription on it, some of which was missing. But the part that was left said: ". . .nelius martyr." He pondered it awhile, and then made a smart guess. Perhaps this was from the tomb of Cornelius. Cornelius had been the bishop of Rome in the 3rd century, and he was martyred in the year 253. He was buried somewhere near the Appian Way.

Of course, Giovanni was excited about possibly finding this tomb. But there was something even more electrifying. He knew from ancient records that Cornelius was buried right by the early Christian underground cemetery that was known in the Middle Ages as the catacombs of St. Callistus.

Rossi correctly guessed that the catacombs of St. Callistus lay underneath the vineyard in which he had been working. He discussed the matter with the papal authorities, and the Vatican purchased the vineyard. Not only that, the Vatican commissioned Rossi to start an excavation. Rossi's calculations proved to be correct, and over a period of several years, he was able to excavate the entire catacomb of St. Callistus, the largest of all the catacombs. After that, one by one the other four catacombs were eventually located.

About the Author

On a recent trip to Rome, the author toured the catacombs and other sights associated with the early Christians. He is an avid photographer and took many pictures of ancient Roman ruins while he was there.

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<h1>Why You Should Tour The Catacombs When In Rome</h1> 
 
If you are planning a trip to Rome, you will want to be sure to include in your trip a visit to one or more of the catacombs. They are open year round except for Easter, Christmas, and New Years Day. Presently, there are five Roman catacombs open to the public. The largest and best known of the catacombs is that of St. Callistus (also spelled Callixtus). Each of the five <a href="http://www.scrollpublishing.com/store/Early-Christianity-Articles.html">early Christian</a> catacombs closes one day each week, while the other four catacombs stays open. Wednesday is the day that the catacomb of St. Callistus is closed. Exactly What Are the Catacombs? What exactly are the catacombs? They are subterranean cemeteries created by the early Christians to bury their dead. They are primarily located outside of the city walls of ancient Rome. They were created by digging out a very soft, porous sedimentary rock called tuffa. Before it is exposed to air, tuffa rock is very soft and relatively easy to excavate by hand tools. However, after it has been exposed to air, it gradually hardens. So the passageways carved out become firm instead of caving in. The Meaning of the Term "Catacombs" You may be wondering what is the origin of the word "catacombs." Surprisingly, the word originally had nothing to do with the early Christian burial sites. Instead catacumbas was simply a Latin word meaning "hollows." There is a section along the ancient Appian Way where tuffa rock predominates and where there are numerous hollows in the ground. The Romans called this area ad catacumbas, which means "by the hollows." It was in this location that the Christians decided to construct underground cemeteries. Now, not too far from the Catacomb of St. Callistus, there is another underground cemetery named after a saintly Christian called Sebastian. Well, in the late 4th and the 5th centuries, a lot of pilgrims came to Rome to view these underground burial chambers. And maps and guides were made for these pilgrims. In these guides and other documents, the cemetery of Saint Sebastian was marked with this notation in Latin: Cymiterium Catacumbas ad sanctum Sebastianum via Appia. The notation means: "The cemetery of the holy Sebastian in the hollows of the Appian Way." Somehow, during the early Middle Ages, primarily through ignorance, people started referring to all of these underground cemeteries as "catacombs." And that is how the name got started. Discovery of the Catacombs During the late Medieval centuries, people quit visiting the catacombs, and they were ultimately forgotten. Because of this, vegetation grew around the entrances to the catacombs, and eventually there was no one who knew any longer where these underground tombs were located. However, in the nineteenth century, an Italian archaeologist named Giovanni Rossi was examining different fields and orchards along the ancient Via Appia. He was hoping to find ancient Christian artifacts. One summer day, he was combing the grounds of a vineyard that lay adjacent to the Via Appia. Suddenly he came upon a fragment of hewn marble, which he examined. The piece of marble had an inscription on it, some of which was missing. But the part that was left said: ". . .nelius martyr." He pondered it awhile, and then made a smart guess. Perhaps this was from the tomb of Cornelius. Cornelius had been the bishop of Rome in the 3rd century, and he was martyred in the year 253. He was buried somewhere near the Appian Way. Of course, Giovanni was excited about possibly finding this tomb. But there was something even more electrifying. He knew from ancient records that Cornelius was buried right by the early Christian underground cemetery that was known in the Middle Ages as the catacombs of St. Callistus. Rossi correctly guessed that the catacombs of St. Callistus lay underneath the vineyard in which he had been working. He discussed the matter with the papal authorities, and the Vatican purchased the vineyard. Not only that, the Vatican commissioned Rossi to start an excavation. Rossi's calculations proved to be correct, and over a period of several years, he was able to excavate the entire catacomb of St. Callistus, the largest of all the catacombs. After that, one by one the other four catacombs were eventually located. 
<h3>About the Author</h3>
On a recent trip to Rome, the author toured the catacombs and other sights associated with the <a href="http://www.scrollpublishing.com">early Christians</a>. He is an avid photographer and took many pictures of ancient Roman ruins while he was there. 
Keywords: catacombs,Rome,vacation in Rome,sightseeing in Rome,Italy,archaeology,Europe,sightseeing,tourism,vacation,international travel,travel

Article Source <a href="http://www.cothivalebooks.com/artdir">Anchor Text</a>

Tags: catacombs, Rome, vacation in Rome, sightseeing in Rome, Italy, archaeology, Europe, sightseeing, tourism, vacation, international travel, travel

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