catacombs
 

We will be in Rome the first week of March.We have heard there are night tours with candles at the catacombs. IS this true,and where?

I've not heard that so can't help, I'm afraid. <BR> <BR>I'm curious, though. When one is touring underground, how would one know whether it's night or day? What would I see differently at night than what I saw in the daytime? <BR> <BR>Ed

I don't know about the night tours, but we went during the day. It was really facinating. Also, afterwards, we were hungry and just walking around...we stumbled upon this restaurant that was up on a hill...they had the best green pea/ham pasta that I have ever eaten. We then took a bus back into Rome. Have fun

(kathy, I had that same fabulous pasta in Florence!!)

To Ed. Good point.

We recently visited the catacombs of San Callisto. During the tour I mentioned to the guide that my parents had visited some 45 years previous and she asked me if it was true that they conducted the tours with candles at that time. I had (and have) no idea - but I've got to believe that if they conducted candlelight tours currently she wouldn't have asked.

Likely so. I should think any insurance company would quiver like jelly at the thought of two dozen inexperienced cavers walking through narrow tunnels with candles in their hands and doubtless flammable clothes on their bodies. <BR> <BR>Generally speaking the lighting in several parts of the various catacombs we've visited has been dim enough, some of that in quite confined and twisting passages. <BR> <BR>I think none except the most claustrophobic should worry about visiting a catacomb. On the other hand, for many there will be no need to add eerie candlelight to make the visit even more daring. <BR> <BR>Ed

On our first trip to Rome the catacombs were at the top of our list. When we left - the catacombs were still at the top of a list - most disappointing. Skip it.