Google launch virtual tour of the Catacombs

Catacombs of Priscilla - screen shot

Google maps unveiled their latest project this week - a digital map of the Catacombs of Priscilla.

The Catacombs were underground chambers and tunnels carved in the volcanic rock under Rome, and used for Christian burials from late in the second through the fourth centuries. More than 40 have been discovered. They were decorated with wall paintings of saints and Christian symbols. Archaeologists are continueing to explore them and some are currently undergoing restoration work.

The Catacombs of Priscilla are named after an early Roman saint. According to the Roman Martyrology, St Priscilla married Aquila, a Jewish tentmaker. When the emperor Claudius banned Jews from living in Rome, they went to Corinth where they met St Paul who may have converted them to Christianity. The travelled with him to Ephesus and stayed there . Paul lived with them there during his third missionary journey. Later they returned to Rome, where their house was used as a church. Eventually they were both martyred for their faith.

To take a virtual tour of the Catcombs see:

The new map of the catacombs can be viewed here: www.google.com/maps?ll=41.929305%2C12.509084&cbp=%2C109.0%2C%2C0%2C-0.0&layer=c&panoid=sfiLnF1scbgAAAQJOCH0Sw&spn=0.18000000000000152%2C0.30000000000000043&output=classic&cbll=41.929305%2C12.509084