46 Reviews
from €42.00 EUR
Duration: 3 Hours
Organized by: Mea Tours & Events
Embark on an immersive journey into Rome’s rich tapestry of faith, art, and ancient civilizations with our exclusive semi-private tour of the Basilica of San Clemente and the Santi Quattro Coronati Church. Designed for history enthusiasts, cultural explorers, and anyone captivated by Rome’s enduring legacy, this unique experience uncovers centuries of sacred traditions and architectural wonders hidden beneath the Eternal City’s bustling streets.
Experience the Multilayered Marvel of the Basilica of San Clemente
Your adventure begins at Piazza di San Clemente, where you’ll meet your expert, English-speaking guide and enjoy priority, skip-the-line access. Step inside the 12th-century Basilica of San Clemente, a breathtaking monument that stands as a living testament to Rome’s layered past. Admire the intricate 13th-century mosaics in the apse, shimmering with vivid colors and gilded details, and take in the remarkable cosmatesque flooring, an elegant decorative style unique to medieval Rome. Feel the weight of centuries beneath your feet as you learn about the Schola Cantorum, which incorporates elements from an earlier 4th-century basilica, and envision the voices of ancient choirs echoing through the sacred halls.
Descending deeper into the subterranean levels, you will uncover a hidden world waiting to be explored. Wander amid the remnants of the former central nave and aisles, where frescoes depicting Saints Clement and Alexius (Sant’Alessio) reveal the devotion and artistry of bygone eras. These vivid images serve as portals to the past, connecting you with the generations who worshipped, prayed, and found solace here centuries ago.
Unveil the Secrets of the Mithraic Cult
Continue your underground journey to uncover even older layers of faith. At the 3rd-century Mithraic altar, tucked inside a small temple room, you’ll witness how diverse religious traditions coexisted, sometimes quietly blending into Rome’s Christian legacy. Gaze upon the altar’s ancient craftsmanship and imagine the secret rites that once took place here, hidden from public view. Venturing to the lowest level, you’ll discover a fragment of a 1st-century Roman home—an incredible testament to the city’s continuous evolution, where private life, pagan rituals, and Christian worship spaces now interweave beneath the foundations of modern Rome.
Journey to the Ancient Santi Quattro Coronati Church
Your exploration continues at the nearby 4th-century Santi Quattro Coronati Church, a venerable sanctuary built in memory of four Roman soldiers martyred for their steadfast refusal to worship Esculapio. As you step inside, you’ll be transported back to late antiquity, a time when faith and sacrifice forged indelible marks on Rome’s soul. Visit the Oratorio di San Silvestro, adorned with exquisite 13th-century frescoes illustrating scenes from the legend of Emperor Constantine. These vivid artworks bring history to life, evoking the reverence, intrigue, and spiritual fervor that shaped Rome’s religious identity.
Why Choose This Semi-Private Experience?
Our semi-private format ensures a more personal and in-depth encounter. With a maximum of just a few guests, you’ll enjoy greater engagement with your professional guide, enabling you to ask questions, linger where your curiosity leads, and truly absorb each detail at a leisurely pace. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor, this curated experience allows you to connect with Rome’s heritage on a deeper, more meaningful level.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to plunge into the layered narrative that has shaped the Eternal City for millennia. By the tour’s end, you won’t just have seen magnificent art and architecture; you’ll have traversed centuries of religious devotion, cultural exchange, and human endeavor. Reserve your spot now, and prepare to be captivated by the silent stories beneath Rome’s streets, forever altering the way you perceive the city’s timeless grandeur.
- Visit the Basilica of San Clemente and its ancient underground ruins
- Explore historic Santi Quattro Coronati and its Oratorio di San Silvestro
- Skip-the-line entry to both basilicas to maximize your time inside
- Expert guide to explain the impressive mosaics, frescoes, and cosmatesque work
Free cancellation up to 1 day before tour starts.
Dedicated to the Pope who was third in succession after Saint Peter, it is one of the better preserved medieval Roman churches. Originally built in the V cent., and destroyed by the Normans in 1084 it was reconstructed in 1108 by Paschal II, on the mound of the previous edifice. (The original church had been built on ruins of the Imperial Period, and on an ancient Roman house of the Republican Period).
We enter the single aisled basilica from a side-door. The atrium, with its quadriportus is the only specimen of its kind in Rome (c. 1108). The aisles are separated by 16 Roman columns; the pavement is Cosmatesque. In the center is the beautiful Choir which had been in the lower Church. On the sides of the choir are the ambones, and a handsome Paschal candelabrum. The presbytery is separated from the choir by a screen of sculptured marble panels of the XII cent, (plutei and transenne). In the presbytery, which is above the crypt with the remains of Saint Clement, is the Tabernacle, supported by four noteworthy ancient columns of pavonazzetto. In the apse is the magnificent mosaic of the Triumph of the Cross, of the Roman school of the XII cent., radiant with colour, and harmonius in composition.
Here, the Crucifix, with 12 doves symbolizes the apostles above a multitude of persons. At the beginning of the left aisle, is the famous Chapel of Saint Catherine of Alexandria adorned with the graceful frescoes of Masolino da Panicale (1431 c), which portray: Scenes from the Lives of the Saint, and of Saint Ambrose; Crucifixion; Annunciation; Saint Christopher. From the Sacristy, we descend to the Lower Church.
from €60.00 EUR
Duration: 3.5 Hours
Seller: Tiqets
36 Reviews
from €80.00 EUR
Duration: 3.5 Hours
Organized by: romebysegway
from €165.00 EUR
Duration: 3 Hours
Seller: Viator
41 Reviews
from €135.00 EUR
Duration: 90 Min-3 Hours
Organized by: ROME 500 EXP
203 Reviews
from €49.00 EUR
Duration: 1 Hour
Organized by: Trip in Art
661 Reviews
from €260.00 EUR
Duration: 7 Hours
Seller: Musement
from €85.00 EUR
Duration: 3 Hours
Organized by: Rolling Rome Segway
18 Reviews
from €61.11 EUR
Duration: 2 Hours
Organized by: Ancient and Recent
806 Reviews
from €48.00 EUR
Duration: 3-4 Hours
Seller: Tiqets
6.293 Reviews
from €40.00 EUR
Organized by: Ticketstation S.R.L
12.582 Reviews