Rare Jewish catacomb in Rome opens to public for first time

The catacombs have until now been little known by any outside a specialist interest in the subject, because they are usually closed to the public. But within the Jewish archaeological community they are considered a great treasure. Many thousands of people were buried there. 

The first tours will take place from May to the first week in June, and then there are expected to be more in September and October.

An article on the Rome archaeology website explains that Rome's Jewish community dates from 161 BC when they fled there for safety. In Rome there are 60 known Christian catacombs and six Jewish catacombs.