Amazing Domitilla Catacomb Unveiled After Years of Renovation

Newly restored Rome frescoes reveal stunning and intricate 1,700 year-old paintings.

May 31, 2017 11:32 am
Restored fresco in Santa Domitilla
People look at the restored fresco "dei Fornai" (bakers) cubicle, during a visit after the restoration of the catacomb of Santa Domitilla, in central Rome. (Andreas SolaroAFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images

Laser technology has revived the stunning and intricate painted frescoes in the catacombs of Domitilla in Rome, the Telegraph is reporting.

The expansive renovated areas, which stretch more than 7.4 miles and descend four levels with 26,250 tombs inside, tell tales of life and death in the form of frescoes that hail from both pagan mythology and Christian faith. Once covered in centuries of algae, calcium deposits and smoke stains from oil lamps, the catacombs detail in pictures the shift that wealthy Romans underwent as they moved from pagan beliefs toward the religion of Christ in the fourth century C.E.

Restored fresco in Santa Domitilla
People look at the restored fresco “dei Fornai” (bakers) cubicle, during a visit after the restoration of the catacomb of Santa Domitilla, in central Rome. (Andreas SolaroAFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Restored fresco in Santa Domitilla
People look at the restored fresco “dei Fornai” (bakers) cubicle, during a visit after the restoration of the catacomb of Santa Domitilla, in central Rome. (Andreas SolaroAFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Restored fresco in Santa Domitilla
A detail of the restored fresco of “dei Fornai” (bakers) cubicle, is pictured during a visit after the restoration of the catacomb of Santa Domitilla, in central Rome. (Andreas SolaroAFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Restored fresco in Santa Domitilla
A detail of the restored fresco of “dei Fornai” (bakers) cubicle, is pictured during a visit after the restoration of the catacomb of Santa Domitilla, in central Rome. (Andreas SolaroAFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Restored fresco in Santa Domitilla
People look at the restored fresco “dei Fornai” (bakers) cubicle, during a visit after the restoration of the catacomb of Santa Domitilla, in central Rome. (Andreas SolaroAFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Restored fresco in Santa Domitilla
A friar looks at a fresco, part of the “dei Fornai” (bakers) cubicle, during a visit after the restoration of the catacomb of Santa Domitilla, in central Rome. (Andreas SolaroAFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Restored fresco in Santa Domitilla
People look at a fresco, part of the “dei Fornai” (bakers) cubicle, during a visit after the restoration of the catacomb of Santa Domitilla, in central Rome. (Andreas SolaroAFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Restored fresco in Santa Domitilla
A friar walks towards the restored “dei Fornai” (bakers) cubicle, during a visit after the restoration of the catacomb of Santa Domitilla, in central Rome. (Andreas SolaroAFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Restored fresco in Santa Domitilla
People walk towards the restored “dei Fornai” (bakers) cubicle, during a visit after the restoration of the catacomb of Santa Domitilla, in central Rome. (Andreas SolaroAFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Restored fresco in Santa Domitilla
People walk towards the restored “dei Fornai” (bakers) cubicle, during a visit after the restoration of the catacomb of Santa Domitilla, in central Rome. (Andreas SolaroAFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
One of the rooms, part of the restored “dei Fornai” (bakers) cubicle, is pictured during a visit after the restoration of the catacomb of Santa Domitilla. (Andreas SolaroAFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Restored fresco in Santa Domitilla
A detail of the restored fresco of “dei Fornai” (bakers) cubicle, is pictured during a visit after the restoration of the catacomb of Santa Domitilla, in central Rome. (Andreas SolaroAFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Restored fresco in Santa Domitilla
A visitor looks at a fresco, part of the restored “dei Fornai” (bakers) cubicle, during a visit after the restoration of the catacomb of Santa Domitilla. (Andreas SolaroAFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images

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