Catacomba di San Giovanni — Attraction in Syracuse

I definitely recommend visiting.

The site was interesting, has really remarkable history, was pleasant (nice and cool down there), and also is inside a structure that is aesthetically interesting above ground as well, so most definitely worth a visit. The neighboring cafe was also delicious and a recommended stop after your visit.

One thing I want to note is that we almost did not come, because of some of the other reviews I saw, but I want to refute what I heard in some of the negative reviews, at least based on our experience today.

Predictability of the tour schedule: Some people complain that you can only visit with a guide and that there may be a wait for a tour. There are 2 things to consider here. First, you should not even want to see this site without a guide, because the guide provides a lot of information about what you're seeing that would not be self-explanatory on your own. Second, the schedule seemed very fair to me. It seems they were starting 1 tour per hour, on the hour, and that there was only 1 guide at a time inside the catacombs (possibly only one guide on the schedule). Perhaps this would be a different story in high season than in December. I would much rather have a wait, and have a peaceful quiet time in the catacombs. It was dead silent (and very cool) down there.

Quality of the guide: Some people complained that the guides were not good, not thoughtful, and that their English or even Italian were not understandable. This was not our experience at all. We had a fantastic guide. She was articulate in both languages, and did a very adept and fair presentation in both languages (typically alternating with about a paragraph or so at a time of her story in each language, to keep the entire audience engaged). She had excellent and thoughtful answers to all of our questions, and I also really appreciated that if a question was asked in one language, she would be sure to provide the answer in both languages (not all guides do this).

I'm guessing that everything is more difficult to run efficiently in "high season" and that's part of the reason we chose to visit Sicily...

The Catacombs of St. Giovanni in Syracuse offer a haunting and fascinating glimpse into early Christian burial practices. Located beneath the Church of San Giovanni, these catacombs are among the most important and well-preserved in Sicily. Dating back to the 4th century CE, they were used by early Christians to bury their dead in a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers carved into the soft limestone. Visitors are struck by the vastness of the underground network, with its numerous passageways and tombs. The layout is orderly, with rows of burial niches lining the walls, interspersed with larger family tombs. Some areas are adorned with Christian symbols like the fish and the Chi-Rho, reflecting the faith of those buried here. One of the most remarkable aspects of the catacombs is their simplicity, a stark contrast to the grandiose burial sites of Roman nobility, symbolizing the humility of early Christians. Guided tours are essential to explore the site, as they offer rich historical context about the transition from paganism to Christianity in ancient Syracuse. The tour typically includes a visit to the small crypt of St. Marcian, believed to be where St. Paul preached during his visit to the city. While not as elaborate as the catacombs of Rome, the Catacombs of St. Giovanni offer a deeply atmospheric and solemn experience. The air is cool and the silence pervasive, evoking a strong sense of reverence. The catacombs are a hidden gem in Syracuse, appealing to history enthusiasts, archaeology lovers, and those interested in early Christian history. They provide a powerful connection to the city’s ancient past, making them a...

These ancient catacombs are a sacred Christian burial space with multiple types of graves. There is a lot of history within the cave walls and the outer section.

The tour cost €8,00 per person and starts every half hour. Which is also about the length of the actual tour. Some parts of the tour are a bit cramped when there is a big group.

The tours are in Italian as well as English. Although you'll have to listen very closely to the English one because it is with a thick accent and she talks very fast. You first get the Italian explanation and after that you get the English one. Sadly, the Italians in our group didn't care anymore after they heard their part and started talking through our translation.

You can't take pictures inside the catacombs but you can on the outside which you can see on our pictures.

I do recommend going here because it takes you back thousands of years and you learn a lot about Christian history. It is also very nice in the summer since the caves...