Catacombs of San Giovanni in Syracuse: the hidden side of the ancient city
- veronicameriggi
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
Beneath the Neapolis district there is a route that changes the perception of the city. The Catacombs of San Giovanni in Syracuse are not just an archaeological site: they are a space designed to be walked through, with corridors, crossings and rooms carved into the rock. You enter here to understand how the city functioned beyond temples and theatres, following a guided itinerary that passes among tombs, crypts and the remains of the basilica. Here is what to see, how the visit works and why it is worth adding them to your itinerary.
The history of the Catacombs of San Giovanni
The Catacombs of San Giovanni date back to between the 4th and 6th century AD, when Syracuse was one of the main cities of the Mediterranean and the Christian community used underground spaces as a burial area. They were not excavated from scratch: the corridors developed by adapting ancient quarries and pre-existing chambers in the limestone bedrock of Neapolis, gradually expanded over time.
The complex grew around a place of worship linked to the memory of Saint Marcian, a figure in local tradition considered the first bishop of the city. Above the burial area a paleochristian basilica was built, today visible as archaeological remains, connecting the prayer area with the underground cemetery. The relationship between religious building and burial space is typical of early Christian communities: burial near places of worship had symbolic and communal meaning.
Over the centuries and with the urban changes of the medieval city, the use of the catacombs stopped. The spaces were gradually abandoned, covered by collapses and soil, and lost their original function. Only in the modern era did systematic studies begin to bring the complex back to light, making it possible to reconstruct the layout of the routes and the organisation of the burials.
Today the Catacombs of San Giovanni represent one of the largest paleochristian cemeteries in Sicily and testify to the transformation of late-antique Syracuse, when the city moved from a Greek-Roman centre to a community organised around new religious spaces. Learn more about the history of the catacombs in our guide.
The visiting route: what to see in the Catacombs of San Giovanni
The visit to the Catacombs of San Giovanni in Syracuse takes place only with a guide and follows a circular route. You descend below street level and enter a wide system of galleries, with intersections and side chambers that show how the communal cemetery was organised. The route alternates open spaces and narrower passages and helps understand the function of the different sectors.
The large underground corridors and arcosolia
The main part consists of the decumani, wide corridors carved into the rock crossing the complex. Along the walls there are hundreds of burials: rectangular loculi sealed by slabs and arcosolia, arched tombs reserved for family groups or individuals with a role in the community. In some points rotundas and wider rooms open up, used for commemorating the dead.
The crypt of Saint Marcian
The route then passes through the crypt of Saint Marcian, one of the oldest worship spaces in the area. Here the function changes: it is no longer only a burial area but a place for religious gathering. The altar and traces of later modifications are visible, a sign the space continued to be used after the main burial phase.
The basilica of San Giovanni at the catacombs
The visit ends above ground among the remains of the basilica built over the underground complex. Today the masonry structures and parts of the apses remain, enough to understand the size of the building and the direct connection with the catacombs below. It is the point where the archaeological route reconnects with the visible city, showing how the place of worship and the cemetery were part of the same urban space.
How the visit to the Catacombs of San Giovanni works
Access to the Catacombs of San Giovanni in Syracuse is only possible with a guided tour. Entries are organised at fixed times and visitors enter together with the group: it is not possible to explore independently because the underground route is articulated and follows a precise itinerary.
For updated times and reservations you can check online at: https://www.secretsiracusa.it/biglietti/biglietti-catacomba-di-san-giovanni/.
Ticket prices
Full: €12 + €2 service fee
Reduced: €9 + €2 service fee (ages 6-15 and partner categories)
Free: ages 0-6
The ticket includes the guided tour and a short multimedia experience that helps understand the original structure of the spaces.
Duration of the visit
The route is circular: you descend into the main galleries, pass through the crypt of Saint Marcian and emerge in the basilica area. Time underground is limited and the pace depends on the guide’s explanations and stops at the main points.
Practical tips before entering
The internal temperature is cooler than outside and the ground can be damp, so it is useful to bring a sweatshirt or light jacket even in summer and wear closed shoes. During the visit you must always stay with the group and follow the marked path: there are no alternative routes.
Where they are located and how to reach the Catacombs of San Giovanni
The Catacombs of San Giovanni in Syracuse are located in Largo San Marciano, 3, 96100 Siracusa (SR), and the entrance is accessible from Via San Giovanni alle Catacombe near the underground complex.
If you stay at Hotel Algilà Ortigia, you can reach the catacomb area with a walk of about 30 minutes following the route from Ortigia towards the Akradina district, crossing the urban centre north-eastwards.
Alternative options:
Bicycle: our hotel provides bicycles that allow faster movement without a car.
Taxi: you can call a taxi through the hotel reception to reach the catacomb area in a few minutes.
City bus: several urban lines stop near Piazza San Giovanni alle Catacombe, from where you can walk a few minutes.
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