Headout logo. Link to home.
Help
Guided Tours

Guided Tour of the Basilica of Santa Pudenziana & its Subterrain

19405-rome-guided-tour-of-the-basilica-of-santa-pudenziana-and-subterrain-02.jpg
19405-rome-guided-tour-of-the-basilica-of-santa-pudenziana-and-subterrain-04.jpg
19405-rome-guided-tour-of-the-basilica-of-santa-pudenziana-and-subterrain-01.jpg
19405-rome-guided-tour-of-the-basilica-of-santa-pudenziana-and-subterrain-05.jpg

Embark on a guided tour of the Basilica of Santa Pudenziana and its underground excavations. Learn valuable insider information that will give you a deeper understanding of the basilica’s remarkable past.

Highlights

  • A group of a maximum of 10 people facilitates a more interactive experience with personalized attention from your guide.
  • Get an in-depth account of the Basilica of Santa Pudenziana’s comprehensive history throughout the centuries.
  • Step underneath the basilica to discover the excavated remains of the 1st century Pudente house where the saints Peter and Paul stayed for many years.
  • Admire the 16th-century Baroque architecture, beautiful frescoes in the Marian Oratory, and the exemplary 4th-century mosaic in the apse of the basilica.
  • Fun Fact: The basilica is believed to be the oldest place of Christian worship in Rome.

Inclusions

  • Guided tour of the Basilica
  • English/Italian-speaking guide
  • Access to the excavations and the Marian Oratory
  • Safety sanitized protective helmets (construction site model)
  • Disposable hair caps

Cancellation policy

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

The famous 4th-century basilica holds a special place among Christians as it is arguably, the oldest place of Christian worship in all of Rome. On this exciting tour, your guide will shed light on the basilica’s Christian and Roman roots going back 2000 years while taking you around its ancient interiors. Dive into the basilica’s comprehensive history, including its existence as a Roman bath house in the 2nd century.

The apse with its wonderful mosaic display of Christ and his Apostles along with a gilded cross encrusted with jewels is undoubtedly a highlight of this tour. The evocative mosaic was, according to the 19th-century historian Ferdinand Gregorovius, ‘the most beautiful mosaic in Rome’ and it is easy to see why. Take some time to appreciate this intricate work of art created somewhere between 384 to 417 AD. It also inspired the Byzantine mosaics that followed in the coming centuries. The next stop is the chapel of St. Peter on the left aisle. You will notice a seemingly unremarkable wooden piece which, as your guide will inform you, is a remnant of the altar used by St. Peter to say the Mass during his stay with the Pudentes.

Visit the Subterrain, Marian Oratory, and the Caetani Chapel

The second part of the tour will take you underground to visit the archaeological excavations which unearthed, among other things, two floors of a 2nd-century Roman Insula. You can’t help but feel a sense of awe and wonder when standing there! After which, your guide will lead you back up to the Marian Oratory to watch the frescoes featuring the baptism of the Pudente family by St. Peter. Your tour will come to an end after visiting the Mausoleum of Cardinal Enrico Caetani. The chapel is noteworthy, if only, for its Carrara marble high relief depicting the Adoration of the Magi.

Itinerary

  • Santa Pudenziana Basilica
  • Subterrain
  • Ancient Marian Oratory
  • Mausoleum of Card. Enrico Caetani

Important Information

  • Each group will have a maximum of 10 people.
  • It's recommended to wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

Restrictions

The tour is accessible for children aged 16 and below only if they are accompanied by a paying adult.

Timings

Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat: 11am or 1pm onwards.

  • Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
  • Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.
  • Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your visit to avoid any delays.

Meeting Point

  • Meet your guide at Basilica of Santa Pudenziana.

  • Address: Via Urbana, 160, 00184 Roma RM, Italy.

Get Directions to the Meeting Point

Getting There

By Bus

  • The closest bus stop is Esquilino/Cavour. It is a quick 2-minutes walk to the meeting point.

  • Board buses 70 and 71 to get you there.

By Tram

  • The closest tram stop is Farini. It is a quick 6-minutes walk to the meeting point.

  • Board trams 5 and 14 to get you there.

Missing any information?

Similar experiences you'd love

Group of tourists enjoying a guided tour of Palatine Hill and Roman Forum in Rome, Italy
Guided Tours
Colosseum, Palatine Hill & Roman Forum Guided Tour
Instant confirmation
4.3
Rated 4.31 out of 5.0 from 17464 ratings.
from
€52
Facade of St. Peter’s Basilica
Guided Tours
Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica Guided Tour
4.1
Rated 4.14 out of 5.0 from 29189 ratings.
from
€69
Free cancellation
Participants at the cooking class
Cooking Classes
Pasta-Making Cooking Class in Rome with Tiramisu or Spritz
Instant confirmation
New
from
€50
Free cancellation
Rome Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Pantheon Skip-the-Line Tickets
Combos
Combo: Rome Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Pantheon Skip-the-Line Tickets
Instant confirmation
2.8
Rated 2.78 out of 5.0 from 18 ratings.
from €46.70
€42.03
Save up to 10%

Top things to do in Rome

Colosseum
from €22.50
Vatican Museums
from €17
Castel Sant Angelo
from €17.90
Rome Pantheon
from €13
Sistine Chapel
from €34
Bioparco Rome
from €19

Browse by themes

World at your tap.

Get the Headout app to get tickets on your phone and access app-only deals. Talk about win-win.
iphone

We've served 31 million+ guests and we are here for you

31 million+

Happy customers across 10,000+ experiences

4.4/5

28,000+ verified reviews with 90% excellent score

In the media

Featured and recommended by the best brands

24 x 7 help center

Have a question? Live chat with local experts anywhere, anytime