What to Expect at Mamertine Prison: Paul’s Jail in Rome

On my first trip to Rome in 2018 I was shocked to learn that the jail where the Apostle Paul was imprisoned is open to the public! It’s called Mamertine Prison (Carcere Mamertino) and it is located next to the Roman Forum down the street from the Colosseum.

Paul was imprisoned at Mamertine in 64 A.D. while awaiting his trial before Roman Emperor Nero. Shortly after he was executed by beheading. (Note! This should not be confused with the two years Paul spent under house arrest in Rome that is recorded in Acts 28:16).

There is evidence that Paul was held at Mamertine, including a decree of execution signed by Emperor Nero.

According to tradition, Jesus’ disciple Peter was also held at Mamertine before his execution. It is thought that he performed baptisms in a spring at the bottom of the pit. The argument for this is because it is the only single celled prison available for VIPs deemed threats to the state. However, there is no evidence that Peter was incarcerated at Mamertine.

In this post I will tell you all about the Apostle Paul, Mamertine Prison, and how to visit it.

Who was Paul?

Paul, also known as the Apostle Paul, is a key figure in Christianity. He wrote over half of the New Testament of the Bible!

Paul was a Roman citizen and was born in Tarsus, a city in modern-day Turkey. Before his conversion, Paul was a Pharisee (the strictest sect of Judaism.) He was deeply rooted in Jewish law and actively persecuted early Christians.

Paul had a dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. He was temporarily blinded and then converted to Christianity.

Paul undertook three major missionary journeys across the Roman Empire, establishing Christian churches and communities.

The 13 Books of the Bible that Paul Wrote

Paul wrote 13 letters (Epistles) in the New Testament, addressing churches and individuals (9 letters to different churches and 4 letters to individuals.) These letters are foundational to Christian theology, focusing on faith, grace, and salvation.

Epistle Name	Addressed To	A.D.	Grouping
Galatians	Members in the province of Galatia	48	Early Letters
1 Thessalonians	Members at Thessalonica	51	Early Letters
2 Thessalonians	Members at Thessalonica	51	Early Letters
1 Corinthians	Members at Corinth	54/55	Major Letters
2 Corinthians	Members at Corinth	55/56	Major Letters
Romans	Members at Rome	55/56	Major Letters
Ephesians	Members at Ephesus	61	Prison letters
Colossians	Members at Colossae	61	Prison letters
Philemon	Philemon (A friend)	61	Prison letters
Philippians	Members at Philippi	62	Prison letters
1 Timothy	Timothy – A bishop in Ephesus	62	Ministering letter
Titus	Titus – A bishop in Crete	63	Ministering letter
2 Timothy	Timothy – A bishop in Ephesus	64	Ministering letter

Check out my blog Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls: Tomb of the Apostle Paul!

What Books did the Apostle Paul write in Jail? 

Paul wrote 13 books of the Bible and nearly half of the New Testament. Here are the books he wrote in the order they appear in The Bible. 

Romans, I Corinthians, II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I Thessalonians, II Thessalonians, I Timothy, II Timothy, Titus, Philemon

The amazing thing is that Paul actually wrote a few of these books FROM jail, including; 

• Ephesians
• Philippians 
• Colossians
• Philemon. 

The Church often refers to these books as the ‘prison letters,’ all of which he wrote during his first imprisonment. 

Then, during his sentence at Mamartine Prison, he wrote 2 Timothy.  

These writings are full of theological wisdom, guidance, and encouragement for believers to hold strong faith. Here’s a little more about the overall themes in each book.

Ephesians

Ephesians addresses the Church in Ephesus and emphasizes themes such as unity within the Church, unity with Christ, and the gracious gift of salvation to all believers. 

Chapter 6 is also where Paul says, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12)

He then encourages believers in Ephesus to put on their spiritual armor daily and hold fast to the Truth. 

Philippians

Philippians is another letter that Paul wrote during his first imprisonment in Rome. 

The emphasis here is on finding joy, contentment, and resilience amid persecution. He talks about the beauty of being in a relationship with Christ, even when trials seem overwhelming. 

The fact that Paul was writing this in prison makes it even more powerful. 

In Philippines 1:12-14, we also see Paul talk about how enduring faith through persecution can actually advance the Kingdom and be used for good. 

It’s one of the most encouraging and uplifting books in the New Testament, inspiring Christians to be strong and unashamed of their faith. 

He also talks about enduring faith through persecution and advancing the Gospel. 

Colossians

Colossians is addressed to the Church in Colossae and is another of Paul’s Prison Epistles.

This book addresses more theological issues regarding the nature and divinity of Jesus Christ and the means of salvation.

He guides them through these issues, emphasizing Christ’s preeminence and divinity in Colossians 1:15-23. Then, he talks about more practical instructions for Christian living and what it means to live fully in Christ’s salvation. 

Philemon

Philemon is the shortest letter in the New Testament, written to Philemon, a Christian leader in Colossae. It is a personal letter concerning Onesimus, a runaway slave of Philemon, who had met Paul in prison and became a Christian. 

Throughout the letter, Paul urges Philemon to forgive Onesimus and receive him back, not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ (Philemon 1:15-16)

Why was Paul Imprisoned in Rome?

Paul was born in Tarsus, a city in the Roman province of Cilicia, so he was considered a Roman citizen. Early in life, he became a Jewish Pharisee before eventually having a radical conversion on the road to Damascus. 

After his conversion to Christianity, he began preaching the Gospel and going on missionary journeys all across Asia Minor. 

Paul was imprisoned multiple times during these missionary journeys, often for reasons surrounding his preaching the Christian gospel, defending his faith, and refusing to worship the local deities or emperors.

For example, local officials arrested him in Philippi for causing a disturbance. Roman authorities took him into custody in Jerusalem to prevent a riot. Then, he was imprisoned in Caesarea by Roman governors Felix and Festus to avoid insurrection by Roman governors Felix and Festus. 

This was also the case in Rome. 

Since he was preaching the Gospel in Rome and converting people into Christians, he was seen as a threat to the cultural order and supremacy of the Emperor. 

Who ordered the Apostle Paul to be put in prison?

The Apostle Paul was imprisoned by different authorities at various times. In Rome, he was held by Emperor Nero, the 5th Emperor of the first Roman dynasty.  Interesting fact! Emperor Nero committed suicide one year after he had Paul executed.

Paul was also imprisoned in other places such as Philippi and Caesarea, and his imprisonment was usually at the hands of the Roman authorities or governors. 

How Long Was the Apostle Paul Imprisoned in Rome?

The specific duration of Paul’s imprisonments is not exactly detailed in the biblical accounts, and it’s important to understand that in the ancient world, people were not sent to prison as punishment. 

Rather, prisons were a holding place while you awaited trial. 

After the trial, the Romans would either let you go free or punish you (physical torment, execution, or loss of status/belongings). 

However, we can use context clues to understand roughly how long the prison sentences lasted. 

The first time Paul was imprisoned in Rome, he was essentially on house arrest for 2 years, then released (as outlined in Acts 28). 

However, Paul was held in Mamertine Prison during his second prison sentence in Rome, which doesn’t have a clear timeline in the Bible. What we know about this time is from a few historical clues and the books of 1 & 2 Timothy, which were likely written in this cell.

The duration of his time here remains a mystery, similar to his time in Thessalonica.

He was imprisoned with Peter, and It’s clear that he expected to be executed (2 Timothy 4:6-7). This was around the same time that fire broke out in Rome, and persecution of the Christians became far more extreme. 

The Historic Mamertine Prison

Just like every other Christian historic site, there is currently a Catholic church, ‘San Giuseppe dei Falegnami,’ built on top of the site of Paul’s prison. The prison has been a site of Christian worship since the 7th century due to its association with Peter and Paul.

San Giuseppe dei Falegnami was built in the 16th century and is dedicated to Jesus’s foster father, Joseph of Nazareth. A chapel was built above the prison to honor their memory.

It was built to house the ornate crucifix that once decorated the structure’s façade. The site remains a pilgrimage destination for Christians worldwide.

Upper Chamber

The Mamertine Prison was used to hold prisoners condemned to death. The upper chamber, now underground due to the rising street level, was once at the surface. This small, dark space was where many, including Peter and Paul, awaited execution.

Tullianum

Beneath the upper chamber lies the Tullianum, a circular room that may have held religious significance even before the apostles’ time. Excavations uncovered votive offerings, suggesting ceremonial use long before it became associated with the Carcer.

Access to the Chamber

Prisoners were once lowered into the Tullianum through a hole in the Carcer’s floor before stairs were added. The name “Tullianum” likely comes from a Latin word meaning “spring of water,” as the chamber contains a well. Tradition holds that the Apostle Peter miraculously made the water flow to baptize his jailors.

Executions

The Mamertine Prison was primarily used for political prisoners, not common criminals. Those sentenced to death, like Jugurtha and Vercingetorix, were often strangled in the Tullianum. A door led to the Cloaca Maxima, Rome’s sewer system, through which the bodies of executed prisoners were likely disposed.

Visiting Mamertine Prison Today

Built in the 7th century B.C., Mamertine is one of the oldest prisons in Europe. Visiting this historic prison offers a glimpse into Paul’s conditions during captivity. The conditions were harsh, cold, wet, and really dark.

I was expecting it to be above ground, but it’s a small underground dungeon with crude stone walls. Our guide told me that it was known for being one of Rome’s most dimly lit prison cells.

Standing in a place where the apostle Paul once stood left me so astounded I wanted to start jumping up and down. But it made me said to think of poor Paul living in such a dreary place.

The exact date the prison was built is also a bit of a mystery, but more archaeologists believe it was built around the 7th century B.C. At that time, it was referred to as the Tullianu. 

There are also several tours that combine a visit to Mamertine prison with the Roman Catacombs. If you’re interested in this, you can book a spot on the tour here.

Where is Mamertine Prison? 

Mamertine Prison is located just outside the northwest gate of the Roman Forum. It is literally half a block from the Roman Colosseum. And it is 3 miles from the Vatican.

Mamertine is not part of the Roman Forum, so you will need to buy a separate ticket. But they are so close you can visit them both on the same day. It takes less then an hour to see the prison.

The site of the prison has been used for Christian worship since medieval times. It is currently occupied by two churches – San Giuseppe dei Falegnami (upper) and San Pietro in Carcere (lower). 

How to Get to Mamertine Prison

Rome has a solid public transportation system, so no matter where you stay in the city, it’s easy to get to Mamertine Prison without having to pay for a taxi or walk far.

• Metro Line B stops at Colosseo Metro Station, which is the closest stop to Paul’s Jail in Rome.
• The closest bus stop is at P.Za Venezia, roughly 5 minutes away by foot. Simply plug this bus stop into Google Maps, and it’s easy to follow the directions here (even if there is a transfer).
• Additionally, you can take Line 8 on the tram in Rome and get off at Piazza Venezia, which is also about 5 minutes by foot.

Best Time to Visit

Like most places in Rome, it’s best to avoid the high season (June – August), as these tend to be the most crowded and hottest times to explore the historical sites around the city. 

I recommend trying to plan your visit for May or September.

It’s still warm enough that you won’t need a jacket, but you won’t spend the whole day sweating. 

Either way, I also make it a point to get places as soon as they open. For starters, this is usually the least crowded time of the day, and it also means I get to spend as much time as I want here. 

Yes, I’m that person who gets kicked out of the museum 10 minutes before they close because I want to see just one more exhibit!

I love learning as much as I can about where I’m traveling. 

Where To Stay

If you are hoping to stay within walking distance of Mamertine Prison, you’ll want to book far in advance because this is one of the most coveted neighborhoods in Rome. 

Here are some relatively affordable and highly-rated places to stay near Paul’s Jail in Rome

Budget Accommodation – H.T. Residence Maximus

If you want to stay close to both the Colosseum and Mamertine Prison without spending a fortune, H.T. Residence Maximus is a solid pick.

• Located just a short walk from the Roman Forum
• Affordable rates for such a prime location
• Clean, simple rooms with air conditioning and Wi-Fi

Mid-range Accommodation – Margana Suites

For a more spacious, boutique-style experience, Margana Suites offers comfort and character just across from the Forum.

• Tucked into a quiet neighborhood just minutes from Mamertine
• Large suites with kitchenettes—perfect for longer stays
• Walking distance to Capitoline Hill, Piazza Venezia, and more

Luxury Accommodation – Colosseo Relais

Want to be as close as possible to Mamertine Prison? Colosseo Relais offers boutique elegance right in the heart of it all.

• Unbeatable location—steps from the Roman Forum and Mamertine
• Elegant interiors with Roman flair
• Personalized service and beautiful views of ancient Rome

Other Places where Paul was imprisoned, according to the Bible

Paul was imprisoned in various locations throughout his ministry, and the Bible provides accounts of several instances where he was held in custody. The primary locations where Paul was put in jail include Philippi,

Philippi

In Acts 16:16-40, Paul and Silas were arrested in Philippi after casting out a spirit of divine knowledge from a slave girl who worked as a fortune-teller. The owners of the slave girl were upset about the loss of their source of income, and Paul and Silas were accused of disturbing the city. 

They were beaten and thrown into prison, but they didn’t stay long. This is the famous story of Paul and Silas singing midnight praises, and an earthquake miraculously opened the prison doors and broke all the prisoners’ chains. 

Jerusalem

In Acts 21-23, Paul faced opposition and was arrested in Jerusalem. His presence at the temple led to a riot, and he was taken into custody by Roman authorities to prevent further violence. 

The accusations against Paul included defiling the temple and speaking against the Law of Moses, which led to his being held under house arrest for 2 years. 

Caesarea Maritima

Paul spent significant time in prison in Caesarea Maritima, as recorded in Acts 23-26. The Roman governors Felix and Festus kept him there. 

Paul’s imprisonment in was due to his appeal to Caesar, exercising his right as a Roman citizen. The charges against him included accusations brought by Jewish leaders.

FAQs

Below are some frequently asked questions about Paul’s Jail in Rome and my answers to these questions.

How many times was the Apostle Paul in prison in Rome?

The Apostle Paul was imprisoned in Rome twice. 

The first imprisonment is traditionally associated with the events recorded in Acts 28, where he was on house arrest awaiting trial. 

The second imprisonment was believed to be the context for Paul’s writing 2 Timothy, a pastoral letter which became a book of the Bible.

What happened to Paul after Acts 28?

After the events in Acts 28, the Bible does not provide details about the Apostle Paul’s life. 

However, because of what was going on with Emperor Nero outlawing Christianity at the time of Paul’s stint in Mamertine Prison, he was likely beheaded in Rome in 64 A.D., becoming a martyr of the faith. 

If you want to learn more about Paul’s imprisonment and death, I highly recommend this Jesus Walk Bible Study on Paul’s Death!

In the Bible, how did Paul write letters in prison?

Paul is believed to have written letters while in prison using the services of an amanuensis, a scribe or secretary, which was common in the ancient world, especially for those with literary proficiency like Paul, to dictate their thoughts to a scribe who would then write them down.

Paul mentions his use of an amanuensis in some of his letters.

For example, in Romans 16:22, Paul says, “I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.”

Tertius was likely the scribe who transcribed Paul’s dictated words. 

This practice allowed Paul to communicate with various Christian communities and address theological, pastoral, and ethical concerns even while in confinement.

Final Thoughts

Paul’s Jail in Rome is one of the most underrated places to visit. It’s often overshadowed by the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and other more famous attractions in the area.

But it was one of the most intriguing to me, and it doesn’t take long to visit, so I still find it well worth a stop if you’re already traveling through Rome.

Just remember that you need to book a separate ticket since it’s not actually part of the Roman Forum.

Also, I loved reading 2 Timothy right after visiting. That’s the book of the Bible that Paul wrote while imprisoned at Mamertine prison, and the book came to life for me in a new way.

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