• The Catacombs of Saint Sebastian were established in the 3rd century AD along the Appian Way, one of the earliest Christian burial sites in Rome.
• The site was originally a pagan cemetery, later expanded and adopted by Christians due to its distance from city limits, in accordance with Roman burial laws.
• The name "Sebastian" honours Saint Sebastian, a Roman soldier and martyr who, according to tradition, was buried here in the 3rd century after being executed for his Christian faith.
• While details about when Saint Sebastian was born remain uncertain, he is believed to have died around 288 AD, during Emperor Diocletian’s persecution of Christians.
• For a time, the catacombs were believed to house the remains of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, making the site a major destination for early Christian pilgrims.
• By the 4th century, the basilica above the catacombs—known as the Basilica Apostolorum—was built, which later became the Basilica of San Sebastiano fuori le mura.
• The San Sebastian Catacombs in Rome feature the Triclia, a unique funerary dining room where families would gather to honour the dead.
• Art lovers will find early Christian graffiti, wall frescoes, and inscriptions, especially in the Crypt of Saint Sebastian, reflecting both devotion and artistic expression.
• Over time, the site fell into disuse, only to be rediscovered and excavated in the 17th and 19th centuries, when interest in Rome’s Christian heritage was revived.
• Today, the Catacombs of San Sebastiano in Rome, Italy, are one of the few catacombs that remain open year-round, forming a key part of Rome’s religious and archaeological tours.