Catacombs of Washington, D.C.: A Franciscan Replica of Ancient Rome

Why It Stands Out

At the turn of the 20th century, Franciscan monks commissioned Roman architect Aristides Leonori to design a miniature version of the Roman catacombs. Using precise measurements and photographs from Italy, Leonori drafted a complex that captured the essence of the originals.

This focus on spiritual architecture is also seen at the Cave of Kelpius. Unlike the tombs in Rome that were carved into volcanic rock, these D.C. passages were cast from aggregate cement.

The complex consists of three distinct arcades representing different eras of Christian history. While most of the wall graves are symbolic recreations, the site holds one profound exception: the skeletal remains of a child martyr.

Estimated to be around seven or eight years old, the child is believed to have lived in the second century. They were brought here in 1929 from Rome's Catacomb of St.

Callistus. Above ground, the site continues its theme of replication with meticulously crafted versions of the tomb of Jesus and various Old World grottos, allowing visitors to experience a condensed global pilgrimage in a single afternoon.

Before You Go

Access to this underground labyrinth is found near the monastery’s main altar. The experience is significantly smaller than the sprawling hundreds of miles found beneath Rome, but it carries an official endorsement from the Pope.

The monastery staff provides guided walks through the three interconnected sections, explaining the historical and spiritual significance of the architecture and the various chapels. Another subterranean site in the city is The Dupont Underground.