Via Appia Antica (Appian Way), Rome

To the far south of the Esquilino neighborhood lies a region known as "Catacomb Country", where the fabled underground graves of Rome's earliest Christians can be found. These burial sites stretch along both sides of the legendary Via Appia Antica (Appian Way), a road adorned with classical ruins and dotted with grazing sheep.

As you wander this ancient path, images of chariots and triumphant legionnaires returning from imperial conquests come to mind. Originally completed in 312 BC by Appius Claudius, the Via Appia was constructed to connect Rome with settlements in the south, leading towards Naples. While the passage of time and acts of vandalism have taken their toll on the ancient relics lining the road, the catacombs remain, casting a spell of fascination and intrigue.

While the catacombs were utilized by Jews and pagans as well, it was the Christians who embraced the concept of underground burials on a monumental scale. The persecution faced by Christians under pagan emperors resulted in the martyrdom of many believers, and their remains, laid to rest within these underground chambers, became objects of veneration.

Today, the dark and atmospheric catacombs stand in stark contrast to the fresh air, verdant meadows, and evocative classical ruins that characterize the Appian Way.