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Catacomb in Villa San Faustino

Catacomb in Villa San Faustino

These catacombs are located in an area called Grotta Traiana, in Villa San Faustino, a suburb of Massa Martana, not far from the ancient Via Flaminia and Fonnaia Bridge. 

It is the only known catacomb in Umbria and bears witness to the spread of early Christianity, which arrived here in about the 4th century along the Via Flaminia, the road which continued to connect Rome with various parts of Italy even though, by then, there had been a steep decline in its use. Visiting the daunting underground burial place was made easier after the entrance was fixed up and the long gallery cleared so that the loculi, burial niches in the walls that reflect the sense of community shared by these early Christians, could be seen.

 

Although it had been called Grotte di Traiano, or Trajan Caves, by the more erudite inhabitants of the area, the catacomb wasn't rediscovered until 1900. And it wasn't until the 1940s that archaeologists excavated most of the galleries, which were also used as bomb shelters during the Second World War. In 1996 and 1997, while work began to make the catacombs accessible to the general public, a small funerary basilica used mostly for worship was discovered in the immediate area.

The catacomb spreads out along a straight 22 m-long corridor that penetrates the hillside and runs 7 metres lower than the surrounding countryside. Two galleries branch off from either side of it, one of which is semi-circular, and they are about 1.5 m wide with low, flat ceilings. Loculi of various sizes were carved into the walls. Some were covered with large tiles and many contained simple little terracotta lamps as burial effects. Formae, or graves, were also dug into the floor and covered with large tiles bearing circular marks carved into them before they were fired. There are no inscriptions bearing the name of the deceased and this has lead scholars to believe the catacomb may have belonged to an illiterate sect. The lamps and other material would indicate the area was frequented between the 4th and 5th centuries.

The ancient name for these places is coemeterium, from the Greek word for dormitory. The word catacomb, which was at one time used only in connection with the large Complex of St. Sebastian along the Via Appia, was later used to describe all underground Christian burial places.

 

The Catacomb of Villa San Faustino can be visited after booking at the Massa Martana Municipality Tourist Office by contacting 3490642786 - 3517588974.

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