Information on Opening Hours and Ticket Prices Updated to: November 2024
Syracuse offers three different catacomb open to visitors, the Catacombs of San Giovanni, Vigna Cassia, and the Catacombs of Santa Lucia. The Church of San Giovanni, its attached catacombs, and the crypt of San Marciano are open year-round except for a short winter closure. For Santa Lucia and Vigna Cassia, it is recommended to verify availability for specific dates. On this page, we publish the latest update on opening hours as provided by the Inspectorate of the Catacombs.
Please note: the publication on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not official. Changes are possible without prior notice, and for updated information, please refer directly to the Catacombs Inspectorate or the Kairos coop. (Ph. +39 (0) 931 64694), which manages access to the sites mentioned above.
San Giovanni Catacombs and Crypt of San Marciano | Vigna Cassia Catacombs | Santa Lucia Catacombs | Sveva Chapel, Episcopal Prison, Alagonian Library
San Giovanni Catacombs and Crypt of San Marciano
The San Giovanni Catacombs (St. John's catacombs) are located beneath the church with the same name, and are near the Neapolis archaeological park, the "Paolo Orsi" museum, and the modern Shrine of Our Lady of Tears. Generally, the catacombs are accessible year-round except for a brief closure from January to February. The tour includes the catacombs, the ruins of the ancient church, now roofless but consecrated, and the crypt of San Marciano, which houses the sarcophagus of Syracuse's first bishop. Among the catacombs in Syracuse, San Giovanni's are the most visited. Visits must be guided, either in a group or private setting, and photography is prohibited inside.
| November - Days | Visiting Hours |
|
Tuesday to Sunday |
from November 1 to 10, 9:30 - 12:30 / 14:30 - 16:30 | From November 11, morning only 9:30 - 12:30 |
| Monday: closed |
N.B. Hours are specific to the indicated month and may be subject to changes.
Entrance Tickets
- Full Price: €8
- Reduced: €5 (under 15 and over 65)
- School Groups: €3
Guided Tours of San Giovanni Catacombs
With Hermes Sicily Tours, it is possible to book a private guided tour of the San Giovanni Catacombs as part of a half-day tour (for example, combined with the Neapolis archaeological park) or a full-day tour (e.g., Syracuse with catacombs). Tours are available for both groups and individual visitors. For more information, please contact us at
Group guided tours are held regularly by the cooperative managing the site; for more information, contact 0931 64694
Santa Lucia Catacombs [back to top]
The Santa Lucia Catacombs (St. Lucy's catacombs) are located in the square of the same name and are accessible from the basilica. This catacomb system is older than San Giovanni's and is very extensive, though only partially accessible today as some galleries are unsafe or partially flooded due to rising groundwater over the centuries. The visit includes the Church of Santa Lucia at the Tomb, with the highlight being the "Oratory of the Forty Martyrs." Since December 2020, Caravaggio's painting "The Burial of Saint Lucy" has been on display in the Basilica of Santa Lucia, complementing the catacomb tour.
The Santa Lucia Catacombs are open only during peak season or by appointment for groups at other times of the year. Visits are permitted only with a guide, and photography is prohibited inside.
| Days | Hours |
| Open only November 1 and 2 | from 9:30 to 12:30 |
N.B. Hours are specific to the indicated month and may be subject to changes.
Entrance Tickets
- Full Price: €8
- Reduced: €5 (under 15 and over 65)
Guided Tours of Santa Lucia Catacombs
With Hermes Sicily Tours, it is possible to book a private guided tour of the Santa Lucia Catacombs as part of a half-day tour (for example, combined with the Neapolis archaeological park) or a full-day tour (e.g., Syracuse with catacombs). Tours are available for both groups and individual visitors. For more information, please contact us at
Group guided tours are held regularly by the cooperative managing the site; for more information, contact 0931 64694
Catacombs of Vigna Cassia[back to top]
This network of catacombs, located along today's Via Von Platen, is currently closed to the public.
Secreta palatii: Swabian chapel, episcopal prison, Alagoniana library [back to top]
The three sites are located in the archbishop's palace in Piazza Duomo.
| Days | Hours |
| open only on November 1 and 2 | from 10 am to 6 pm |
Note: The hours refer only to the indicated month and may vary.
