The Catacombs of San Gennaro are the most expansive, covering 5,600 square meters carved into the volcanic tuff of Capodimonte Hill. The Catacombs of San Gaudioso are the second largest.
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Catacombs of Naples: San Gaudioso & San Gennaro
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Flexible entry to Naples' largest Christian burial sites with an expert guide.
Inclusions #
1-hour guided tour of the San Gaudioso Catacombs with entry
1-hour guided tour of the San Gennaro Catacombs with entry
Entry to Basilica di Santa Maria della Sanità
Expert English or Italian-speaking guide
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
Inclusions #
2.5-hr guided tour of Naples
Local English and Italian-speaking guide
Underground Ruins entrance fee
Lunch - Caprese salad, pasta, dessert, and beverages (as per option selected)
Standard, small, or semi-private group tour (up to 40, 18, or 8 people as per option selected)
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
Inclusions #
1-hour guided tour of the Catacombs of San Gaudioso
Expert English or Italian-speaking guide
Entrance to Catacombs of San Gennaro
Artecard Campania (optional)
Artecard Napoli (optional)
Silvia
Alessandro
Anna
Azzurra
Gherbesi
Admire beautifully preserved frescoes depicting biblical scenes, saints, and early Christian symbols. These artworks offer a glimpse into the spiritual life and artistic traditions of the early Christian community.
See unique burial traditions where skulls were embedded in the walls, and bodies were depicted in painted frescos below. This reflects the Baroque era's perspective on mortality and resurrection.
Visit burial niches and sarcophagi of notable early Christians and aristocrats, including the resting place of San Gaudioso, a 5th-century Tunisian bishop who gave the catacombs their name.
Explore the small underground basilica with its altar and intricately carved spaces for prayer, reflecting the early Christian community’s religious practices.
Observe the impressive use of volcanic tuff stone, which makes up the structure of the catacombs, showcasing the ingenuity of ancient builders.
Discover symbols such as fish, doves, and chi-rho, which were used by early Christians to convey messages of faith in a covert manner during periods of persecution.
A richly decorated space where several early bishops of Naples were buried. It features intricate frescoes and mosaics dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries, depicting biblical scenes and early Christian art.
This large underground basilica is a central highlight of the lower layer of the Catacombs, showcasing spacious halls with impressive columns carved directly from volcanic tuff stone. It served as a place of gathering and fellowship, and is still used for mass!
While the city’s main patron Saint Gennaro’s relics were moved in later centuries, his original burial site remains a focal point, revered for its spiritual and historical significance.
The walls of the catacombs are full of beautifully preserved frescoes, including depictions of saints like Pascientus, fish (a symbol of Christ), and other Christian motifs dating back to the 2nd century AD.
The grand lower vestibule, with towering 6-meter-high ceilings, features a striking baptismal font commissioned by Bishop Paul II, who sought refuge in the Catacombs of San Gennaro during the 8th-century iconoclastic clashes.
A labyrinth of burial niches and galleries on another level showcasing the scale and depth of these ancient burial chambers.
A carved stone chair, likely used by bishops during ceremonies held in the underground basilica, symbolizing the authority of the early Church in Naples.
The Catacombs of Naples are ancient underground burial sites carved into volcanic tuff stone. Early Christians used them for burials and as places of worship during periods of persecution.
The two main catacombs are the Catacombs of San Gennaro and the Catacombs of San Gaudioso, both rich in early Christian art, history, and architecture. San Gennaro lies near the Capodimonte area, close to the Basilica of Good Shepherd. San Gaudioso sits beneath the Basilica of Santa Maria della Sanità in the Sanità district.
The Catacombs date back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, with expansions and modifications continuing through the early Christian and medieval periods.
A guided tour typically lasts about 45–60 minutes, after which you can explore by yourself. Depending on your pace and interest, combined tickets for multiple sites may take longer.
The Catacombs of San Gennaro feature vast open spaces, early Christian frescoes, and the Crypt of the Bishops, making them the largest and most significant underground burial site in Naples.
The San Gaudioso Catacombs combine early Christian burials with unique 17th-century Baroque elements, including skull-and-bones wall decor and frescoes that reflect Neapolitan funerary traditions.
Yes, the catacombs are safe for visitors. Tours are guided, and pathways are well-lit and maintained. While generally suitable due to the wide spaces, those with claustrophobia should be mindful of the enclosed sections.
Due to the number of steps and uneven terrain, the catacombs are not fully accessible for visitors using wheelchairs or strollers.
Yes, the Catacombs of San Gennaro and the Catacombs of San Gaudioso are part of a larger network of underground sites in the Rione Sanità. This area was once a necropolis and burial ground, called "Sanità" (health) in the 17th century. There are nine catacombs and cave complexes under the Rione Sanità, including San Severo and the Fontanelle ossuary. There are separate entrances for these other sites.
Kids are welcome. However some young children may find the site disturbing, so it is important that their guardian make the judgement and accompany them at all times.
While you can purchase tickets on-site, it is recommended to book online to avoid long queues and secure your preferred tour time. Tickets often include access to both San Gennaro and San Gaudioso.
Photography is allowed in some areas but restricted in others, so check the rules before snapping. If permitted, a phone or camera with a low-light setting will help capture the beauty of the frescoes and architecture.
