Catacombe di Commodilla

The Catacombs of Commodilla, also known as the Catacombs of Felix and Adauctus, are a three-level underground burial complex in Rome's Ostiense district. They are located on the Via delle Sette Chiese, near the Via Ostiense. The name derives either from the founder or from the donor of the site, while the alternative name refers to the two main martyrs buried there, Felix and Adauctus. Archaeological finds date the complex to the middle of the fourth century, though earlier features suggest it was already in use in the early fourth century. An old pozzolana quarry was originally converted into a burial site before being fully developed into a cemetery in the second half of the fourth century. Burials ended after the fourth century, but the site remained in use as a pilgrimage destination for the martyr cult until the relics were removed in the ninth century.

Today, you can explore the complex's unique structure, which is characterized by deep trenches with burial niches stacked one above the other, a form rarely found in Rome. At its center lies a small underground basilica dedicated to the martyrs' tombs. Here you'll find niches with frescoes depicting Felix and Adauctus. A particular highlight is the so-called Cubiculum of Leo, a tomb painted entirely with biblical scenes, created for a Roman official and his family. Other frescoes worth seeing show Saint Luke with surgical instruments, as well as Christ handing the keys to Peter. Despite its generally plain architecture and epigraphy, the complex offers a fascinating glimpse into the Christian burial culture of the early Middle Ages.