Catacombe di Porta d'Ossuna, Palermo Travel Guide

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Uncover Palermo's ancient past in the eerie yet fascinating Catacombe di Porta d'Ossuna, an early Christian burial site.

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Catacombe di Porta d'Ossuna

Explore the Catacombe di Porta d'Ossuna in Palermo, an early Christian underground cemetery dating back to the 4th and 5th centuries AD. Discovered in 1739, these catacombs offer a glimpse into the early Christian community in Palermo, featuring loculi, galleries, and corridors adorned with faint traces of ancient paintings.

A brief summary to Catacombe di Porta d'Ossuna

Corso A. Amedeo, 110, Palermo, Metropolitan City of Palermo, 90138, IT
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Saturday 3 pm-6 pm
Sunday 10 am-1 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Catacombe di Porta d'Ossuna.

Wear comfortable shoes, as the underground terrain can be uneven.
Photography is not allowed inside the catacombs.
Consider booking your tour in advance, especially during peak season, by contacting info@archeofficina.com.
Be mindful that the space inside the catacombs may feel claustrophobic to some visitors.

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Explore Catacombe di Porta d'Ossuna on the Map

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Getting There

Public Transport

From Palermo Centrale train station or other points in the city center, take bus lines 104, 108, 124, or N5. Get off at the 'Contessa Giuditta' or 'Lascaris Zisa' stop, both within a short walking distance of Corso Alberto Amedeo. A single bus ticket costs €1.40 and is valid for 90 minutes.
Walking

From Quattro Canti, walk west along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, then turn right onto Via Porta Carini. Continue onto Corso Alberto Amedeo; the catacombs will be on your left. The walk is approximately 1.5 km and takes about 20 minutes.
Taxi

Taxis are available throughout Palermo. A taxi ride from the city center to Catacombe di Porta d'Ossuna (Corso A. Amedeo, 110) typically costs between €10 and €20, depending on traffic and the time of day. Confirm the fare with the driver before starting your journey.

Discover more about Catacombe di Porta d'Ossuna

Venture beneath the bustling streets of Palermo to discover the Catacombe di Porta d'Ossuna, a significant early Christian hypogeum dating back to the 4th and 5th centuries AD. The catacombs derive their name from their proximity to Porta d'Ossuna, named after the Duke of Ossuna, Pietro Giron. Rediscovered in 1739 during construction work on the Convento delle Cappuccinelle, the site was explored by the Prince of Torremuzza and later studied by scholars in the early 20th century. During World War II, the catacombs served as a refuge for the population seeking shelter from bombings.The catacombs are structured along an east-west axis, featuring a network of intersecting corridors, burial chambers (cubicula), and recesses for sarcophagi (arcosoli). Though the walls were once painted, only fragments of the original plasterwork remain. The entrance today is on Corso Alberto Amedeo, marked by a circular vestibule erected in 1785 by Ferdinand I of Bourbon. Inside, discover the remains of a structure possibly used for funeral banquets, similar to those found in Malta. A notable funerary inscription dedicated to a young girl, discovered in the 18th century, is now housed in the Antonio Salinas Archaeological Museum.Guided tours, conducted by archaeologists, provide historical context about the catacombs in both English and Italian. Note that photography is prohibited inside the catacombs due to copyright regulations.