Here, There & Everywhere

Catacombs of DC

04-09-2025

Catacombs of Washington, D.C., aren’t quite as ancient as the name would suggest, and all but one of the graves are totally fake. They were built at the turn of the 20th century by a well meaning group of Franciscan monks who wanted to create a facsimile of the Holy Land for North Americans who couldn’t afford the trip overseas.

These catacombs do have an official Papal endorsement and contain one very real skeleton of what looks to be a seven or eight-year-old child. 

The tour begins in the ornate church above, however the buildings purpose is more of an attraction to help people experience the Holy Land. The main attraction, The Catacombs, are hidden below the church in dark passageways.

  • Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America
  • The tulips were vibrant
  • These inner Church like areas are more of a monument than a Monastery
  • This gentlemen led our tour.
  • The catacombs are beneath the main building
  • Child Mummy
  • These gardens are a last walk through after the tour.

While we we there, a visitor on the tour stated this setup was accurate to the actual areas it represents.

arveyrigsby