Entry No. 5 — the Washington, D.C. file — filed under: catacombs
Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America — Catacombs
Beneath the church, docent-led tours descend into a full-size replica of the Roman catacombs, with replica shrines of Calvary and the Holy Sepulchre — and the site holds a genuine relic, the bones of Saint Benignus of Armagh, brought from the Roman catacombs and formerly kept in the cathedral of Narni, Italy.
The story
If you thought Washington’s underground passages were reserved for politicians and high-security transit, head up to Brookland. Beneath a sprawling monastery at 14th and Quincy Streets sits a subterranean maze reproducing the Roman catacombs. Built by Franciscan friars whose order has served in the Holy Land for 800 years, the complex was designed to bring distant Mediterranean pilgrimage sites directly to North America.
Down in the dim underground corridors, you wander narrow passageways lined with full-size replica shrines of Calvary and the Holy Sepulchre. But one detail down here isn't a copy: tucked into the subterranean layout is a genuine relic containing the actual bones of Saint Benignus of Armagh. The remains were brought directly from the ancient Roman catacombs, previously kept in the cathedral of Narni, Italy, and reinterred right here in Northeast DC.
What it's like
You can't just wander down into the subterranean complex on your own; entering the catacombs requires reserving a spot on a docent-led tour via Eventbrite (usually offered Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM). The transition from the bright, quiet church complex to the dim, damp underground passageways feels abrupt and surreal. Once you surface back into the daylight, spend time wandering through the expansive rose gardens on the monastery grounds.
The move: Book the docent tour (offered Tue/Wed/Fri/Sat at 1 and 2pm via Eventbrite), walk the underground catacombs and shrine replicas together, then wander the rose gardens above ground afterward.
- 📍 Brookland, Washington, DC
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1400 Quincy St NE, Washington, DC 20017
Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- National Bonsai & Penjing Museum — After navigating subterranean Roman tomb replicas, head two miles southeast to inspect living history, including a white pine trained as a bonsai since 1625.
- Bladensburg Peace Cross — Continue your tour of unexpected sacred architecture by driving east to a massive 40-foot concrete cross rising out of a highway traffic median.
- 600 T — Trade the cold silence of underground church catacombs for a cozy, dimly lit basement cocktail bar hidden behind an unmarked door in Shaw.
Good to know
Are the catacombs real or replicas?
The tunnels, tombs, and Holy Land shrines are full-scale replicas of ancient Roman catacombs, but the site holds a genuine relic: the actual bones of Saint Benignus of Armagh, brought from Rome by way of Narni, Italy.
How do I visit the underground catacombs?
You must join a docent-led tour. Spots need to be booked in advance online via Eventbrite, with tours typically held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday afternoons.
Where is the monastery located?
It is located at 1400 Quincy St NE (at 14th and Quincy Streets) in the Brookland neighborhood of Northeast Washington, DC.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Wikipedia · Atlas Obscura
last checked: 2026-07-19