Route Holy Year 2015 of Rome: Papal Way

We present a detailed guide to the Jubilee of Mercy with maps made ad hoc to help you cover the Way of the Pope and find your way easily around Rome's many streets and squares.

The “Way of the Pope” is the way completed in the past by popes after being elected: from the Basilica of Saint John in the Lateran until Sain Peter's passing through the Colosseum. A route mostly of faith, as tradition wants it, and as explicitly requested by Pope Francis for this Jubilee of Mercy. It is, though, a route with cultural and tourist turns: Colosseum, Imperial Fora, Pantheon and Piazza Navona are only some of the points of interest visited along this route.

Let's discover together all the stages of this jubilee way (nearly 6 kilometers to complete in little more than half a day). We present nect a useful guide, with maps and religious and tourist points of interest, to plan at best your tour in the Rome of the Jubilee of Mercy.
DOWNLOAD THE FULL MAP OF THE POPE'S WAY

FROM THE BASILICA OF SAINT JOHN TO THE IMPERIAL FORA

We start from the Basilica of Saint John in the Lateran, the “mother of all churches”, Borromini's masterpiece.

Easily accessible by metro (station San Giovanni of the metro A) is among the most important monumental complexes for religious tourism in Rome. It includes

the great obelisk,

the Lateran Palace,

and the sanctuary of the Holy Stairs.

Before attempting the Papal Way you must visit this beautiful basilica and get ready to take on the long tour that will take you to Castel Sant'Angelo.

Once the visit finishes, we leave right away to start with the first stages of the Papal Way going straight to the Imperial Fora. 
DOWNLOAD THE MAP WITH THE FIRST STAGE OF THE PAPAL WAY

After a pleasant walk along via dei SS. Quattro you will arrive in front of the Colosseum, symbol of Rome and Italy and UNESCO's World Heritage Site. Visiting, or even just admiring the Colosseum, the world's biggest anphiteatre, is an unparalleled and unique experience. For further information click here: TIPS TO VISIT THE COLOSSEUM.

The Papal Way is a continuous emotion: once past the Colosseum take via dei Fori Imperiali and plunge into a 2,000-year-old history. From sites and ruins of the great Roman Empire to the panoramic promenade, strongly longed by Mussolini, who decided to cut into two parts this amazing archeological complex. 

"Walking the Papal Way is a continuous emotion"

FROM THE MAMERTINE PRISON TO TORRE ARGENTINA

DOWNLOAD THE SECOND STAGE OF THE MAP OF THE PAPAL WAY

Your visit of the Fora will end before arriving to Venice Square. The path provided by Pope Francis is, in fact, a detour to the left to visit the Mamertine prison, the prison where Saint Paul and Saint Peter were imprisoned. Go now toward the political heart of Rome, that is the Capitoline Hill, where you can take pictures of the She Wolf that according to legend nursed Romulus and Remus, go down the flight of curb stairs that leads to Venice Square and then climb the stairway of the Aracoeli and visit the beautiful Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli: it is 124 steps, but we assure you that it is worth it. And then remember that you are making a journey of faith and then sacrifice…

Then take via del Teatro Marcello. Before heading toward Largo di Torre Argentina, we would recommend a small tourist detour to admire the Jewish Ghetto: step in directly from the Teatro Marcello, also called the "small Colosseum", pass the beautiful Portico d'Ottavia and enjoy wandering around the streets and squares of this small neighborhood.

If it's already lunch time we recommend to stop by any of the many restaurants in the guetto where Jewish and Roman cuisine blend. For further information: WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO GET AROUND THE JEWISH GUETTO.

Let's retake our journey and let's go toward Piazza Campitelli. Continuing straight ahead you will find the Fountain of the Turtles, a beautiful fountain in via dei Funari made in part also by Bernini. At the bottom of the via Paganica you will find Largo di Torre Argentina and the splendid ruins of the Sacred Area. Here Julius Caesar was assassinated.

FROM THE PANTHEON TO THE BASILICA OF SAINT PETER

DOWNLOAD THE MAP WITH ALL THE STREETS AND THE MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST

You will reach the Pantheon walking along via Cestari, the headquarters of the Opera Romana Pilgrimages, and passing Piazza della Minerva, where you will find the Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva. The Pantheon is a masterpiece of architecture and engineering, still today one of the best preserved monuments in Rome. To learn more: PANTHEON: BETWEEN HISTORY AND LEGEND.

"work of gods and not of humans”
Michelangelo

At about 200 meters you will find Piazza Navona, the most beloved square by the Romans. Reach via dei Sediari from Piazza Sant'Eustachio and you will find yourselves in front of a series of authentic masterpieces: the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone, the fountain of the Four Rivers, Palazzo Pamphilj the fountains of the Moor and of Neptune. Dine at one of the many bars around the square and enjoy watching tourists, pilgrims or Romans while drinking coffee or having a drink.

Click here to learn everything there is to discover and to do: PIAZZA NAVONA: WHAT TO SEE AND ALL MONUMENTS

Tired? Dont' get disheartened, the Basilica of Saint Peter is by now near. Take via Pasquino and, after quickly visiting the splendid parish church of Santa Maria in Vallicella, walk along via dei Banchi Nuovi and via del Banco di Santo Spirito. In front of you, imposing and suggestive, you will find the so longed Castel Sant’Angelo, first point of arrival of all Jubilee ways. 

Beyond the beautiful Bridge of Sant'Angelo visit this Castle. For more information: CASTEL SANT’ANGELO: OPENING HOURS, PRICES, WHAT TO SEE AND USEFUL INFORMATION

Well, we have arrived at the end of this journey of faith and there couldn't be a more spectacular conclusion: walk along via della Conciliazione and you will be in front of the Basilica of Saint Peter: the largest in the world, full of art, history and culture. To find out how to visit it click here: BASILICA OF SAINT PETER: WHAT TO SEE AND HOW TO VISIT IT

DISCOVER ALSO THE MARIAN WAY
DISCOVER ALSO THE PILGIM'S WAY
THE GUIDE TO THE JUBILEE OF MERCY

It's important to know that the final part of the route, from Castel Sant'Angelo to the Holy Door, is reserved exclusively to registered pilgrims. That's why all pilgrims who intend to cross the Holy Door must necessarily register on the official site of the Jubilee.