Back in 2005 we had wanted to do this tour but because there was not enough interest it wasn't offered so it was top of our list this time. We were picked up at the hotel and taken to the tour meeting point really very close to us by yet another fountain of Neptune I think, and Septembre street.
The drive to the catacombs took about an hour and started with a church which then led down to the catacomb of St Domitilla. Of course they were first of all used as hiding places when the Christians were persecuted but then later became places of Prayer and worship.
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| Symbols of Christianity ,the fish and the shepherd |
It was then back on the bus to visit the Papal church of St Giovanni, founded by Emperor Constantine in the 4 th century It was decorated with large Roman statues down each side of the aisle St Peter on one side and St Paul on the other.All the floors of the Papal churches are the same tiled marble design. across the road from the church were the Holy Stairs which you could advance up on your knees. They were supposedly the stairs that Christ is said to have climbed to his trial before Pontius Pilate.
Then it was on to the bus again to visit the St Maria Majour Basilica a very much more baroque church with alot of adornment. I liked the picture of the last supper the best high above one of the side chapels. I really thought it was a very good tour but I think Bob felt the tour of the Catacombs was rather superficial
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| St Maria Majour Basilica |
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