The Catacombs of Priscilla

The Catacomb of Priscilla is the best preserved and the oldest general cemetery of Early Christian Rome. It is located along Via Salaria. The first nucleus of the catacomb - among the largest in Rome - dates back to the second century, as proven by several inscriptions with the names of Peter and Paul. It takes its name from Priscilla, the mother of the Senator Pudens in whose house St. Peter, according to ancient tradition, found refuge. 

Not far from the modern entrance to the cemetery is the elegant subterranean chapel or crypt known as the Capella Greca, from two Greek epitaphs found there; this crypt is ornamented with very ancient symbolic frescoes, the most important of which is the celebrated Eucharistic painting in the apse, known as the Fractio Panis, because the priest depicted is breaking bread and giving it to seven persons seated at the same table.

Here, there is also a very ancient fresco of the Blessed Virgin holding to her breast the Infant Jesus. In the fourth century a basilica was raised on this site - known as S Silvestro - now mostly rebuilt.