The Catacombs of San Senatore are located below the Convent of Santa Maria della Stella, being one of only two examples known in the Alban Hills. The catacombs are within a former pozzolana quarry. Pozzolana is a volcanic ash that has been used in the construction industry since ancient times as a constituent in cement and mortar.
The catacombs date from the 3rd century AD and were in use through to the 9th century. The site was the final resting place of many saints and martyrs.The graves are of three types - loculi (cut into the walls), formae (cut into the floor) and richer occupants had their own chambers or cubicula. Most if not all of the burials have now been relocated to surface graveyards. Artefacts found within the catacombs are now exhibited at the [Civic Museum of Albano] (https://www.visitcastelliromani.it/en/travelguide/civic-museum-of-villa-ferrajoli/)
On the walls there are some notable frescoes dating from the 5th century. Amongst these are depictions of Christ and the disciples. Another shows a painting of San Senatore himself. Within the catacombs there is an extant well but it is not known if this dates from the quarry or catacomb period. Beyond the burial area there is a section of abandoned quarry, never converted as part of the catacombs and showing working faces, tool marks and ‘deads’ from two thousand years ago. Sub Brit was fortunate to be able to visit this original mining area as well as the catacombs on a visit in 2016.
The catacombs are open on a few days a week and more details can be found on the official website