About this experience
Visit the basement of the Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere and be guided on a journey through almost two thousand years of history, between archaeology, art and Christian tradition. Discover a Roman domus, ancient residential environments, the traditional house of Santa Cecilia and an antiquarium with excavations.
At a glance
- Duration: 1 hr 30 min
What is included
- Radio to Listen to the Guide
- Ticket for the basements
Itinerary and highlights
The basilica stands, according to tradition, on the site of the house of the Roman noble Cecilia, martyred around 230 AD.C. for his faith. Hagiographic sources tell that, after converting her husband Valerian and brother-in-law Tiburtius to Christianity, Cecilia was condemned to die in the calidarium of her home. She survived the hot steam for three days and was finally beheaded. It is said that Pope Urban I, witness of martyrdom, buried her body and transformed the house into a place of worship, giving rise to the first church dedicated to the saint.
The basement of the basilica preserves an entire archaeological complex:
- the remains of a Roman domus of republican and imperial age;
- the rooms of an ancient insula, typical residential building of ancient Rome;
- the structures that tradition identifies with the house of Santa Cecilia;
- a suggestive antiquarium that exhibits the finds found during archaeological excavations.
Meeting and pickup information
- The Guide will be waiting for you at the meeting point with a flag that says "Rome With Silvia"
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Rome with Silvia
Accessibility and practical details
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not recommended for wheelchair users
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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