San Sebastiano fuori le mura

San Sebastiano fuori le mura has a long and eventful history. The first basilica on this site was built in the 4th century and dedicated to San Sebastian, a Christian martyr from the 3rd century. Over the centuries, the church has seen many changes. In 826, the remains of San Sebastian were moved to St. Peter’s for safekeeping before a Saracen assault, which led to the original church being destroyed.

The Baroque Rebuilding and Pilgrimage Tradition

The church visitors see today was largely constructed during the 17th century. For centuries, San Sebastiano fuori le mura held a special place among Rome’s holy sites. Up until the Great Jubilee in the year 2000, it was one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome, a group of churches that every Roman Catholic pilgrim was expected to visit. However, during the Jubilee year, its place was taken by the Sanctuary of Divino Amore.

Exploring the Catacombs and the Appian Way

Just to the right of the church entrance, visitors will find the entrance to the catacombs. These catacombs are smaller than others in the area, but still offer a fascinating glimpse into early Christian history. The area where tickets are purchased and tours begin features a display of sarcophagi discovered in the catacombs.

From this point, it is also possible to rent a bicycle to continue exploring the historic Appian Way, which is lined with ancient monuments and relics of the past.