Category

Martyr & Persecution Sites

The cost of confession, remembered.

Martyr and persecution sites remember Christians who died for their faith, from the Roman arenas to modern memorials. These places of Christian martyrdom carry the hardest and most moving history in the archive — who died there, when, what is preserved on the site and how to visit respectfully.

7 destinations

4/5 Significance

Vatican City, Vatican City

St Peter's Basilica

The biggest church ever built, with Michelangelo's dome over the tomb of Peter the fisherman.

4/5 · Major biblical site

4/5 Significance

Rome, Italy

Catacombs of San Callisto

Long underground tunnels where about half a million early Christians were buried, including nine popes.

4/5 · Major biblical site

4/5 Significance

Wadi El Natrun, Egypt

Wadi El Natrun

The Egyptian desert where monk life began. Four Coptic monasteries still work the same land today.

4/5 · Major biblical site

4/5 Significance

Rome, Italy

Rome

The city where Peter and Paul were killed, and the city that later spread their faith around the world.

4/5 · Major biblical site

3/5 Significance

Canterbury, United Kingdom

Canterbury Cathedral

In 1170 an archbishop was killed here by four knights. After that it became the most visited holy place in England.

3/5 · Well attested

3/5 Significance

Nagasaki, Japan

Twenty-Six Martyrs Monument

In 1597, 26 Christians were killed here for their faith. Japanese Christians then kept their faith secret for 250 years.

3/5 · Well attested

2/5 Significance

Rome, Italy

The Colosseum

The huge Roman arena. We are not sure Christians died here, but Rome did kill many Christians for their faith.

2/5 · Historically linked