Catacombs - a place of darkness and refuge

The catacombs were underground tombs near Rome where the early Christians were buried. These tombs are cut in soft rock in a sacred area surrounding the city of Rome.When the persecutions of the Christians ended under Constantine, the catacombs were visited by many pilgrims.

When the Goths conquered and sacked Rome in A.D. 410, the entrances of the catacombs were filled up in order to protect them. By the twelfth century, the existence of the catacombs was forgotten. They were so well hidden that it was not until 1578 that one was accidentally found.When the persecutions of the Christians ended under Constantine, the catacombs were visited by many pilgrims.

When the Goths conquered and sacked Rome in A.D. 410, the entrances of the catacombs were filled up in order to protect them. By the twelfth century, the existence of the catacombs was forgotten. They were so well hidden that it was not until 1578 that one was accidentally found.