Route Holy Year 2015 Rome: Pilgrim's Way

We present a complete guide to take on easily the Jubilee of Mercy and find quickly your way around the many streets and squares of the Pilgrim's Way.
We are talking about the most traditional way that pilgrims heading to Rome used to take on: a route slightly less than 6 km long that starting from the Basilica of Saint John in the Lateran will lead to the Basilica of Saint Peter.

DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE MAP OF THE PILGRIM'S WAY

FROM SAINT JOHN IN THE LATERAN TO THE IMPERIAL FORA

Just like the Papal Way, the point of departure for this Jubilee way is the Basilica of Saint John in the Lateran. The “mother of all churches” can be reached thanks to metro line A, stop “San Giovanni”. It is the oldest basilica in the world: stop by for a few minutes to admire it, both from the inside and the outside. A true show!
CLICK HERE TO DISCOVER WHAT TO SEE IN THE BASILICA OF SAINT JOHN IN THE LATERAN.

Are you ready for this way of faith? 
DOWNLOAD THE FIRST PART OF THE MAP OF THE PILGRIM'S WAY

Walking along via dei SS. Quattro you will arrive in front of the Colosseum, UNESCO World Heritage Site and main symbol of Rome. VISITING THE COLOSSEUM: OPENING HOURS, PRICES AND USEFUL INFORMATION.

Our advice is to admire the Flavian Amphitheatre only from the outside and then retake the Way of the Pilgrim, which has just started.
Take now via dei Fori Imperiali and plunge into over 2,000 years of history. Walk along the pedestrian promenade among wordly renoun archeological ruins and sites. In front of you you will surely see the quadrigas of the Altar of the Fatherland, monument symbol of the Italian Unification. 

Hands up those who, before this Holy Year, knew about the Mamertine Prison. One of the attractions of this Jubilee way is also discovering hidden places and tresaures in the city. From via dei Fori Imperiali turn left enter via di San Pietro in Carcere. The Mamertine Prison, the prison of Saints Peter and Paul, can be visited every day (admission fee costs €5).

"One of the attractions of this Jubilee way is also discovering hidden places and tresaures in the city"

LET'S LEAVE AGAIN FROM THE MAMERTINE PRISON

DOWNLOAD THE MAP WITH THE SECOND PART OF THE PILGRIM'S WAY

Further on, after a few hundreds of metres, you will find the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius chestanding out in Piazza del Campidoglio, political heart of Rome.
What to do? You are spoilt for choice: don't miss taking a picture to the statue of the Capitoline Wolf (who according to the legend, nursed Romulus and Remus),go down the stairs of the Cordonata that will take you close to Venice Square and then climb the 124 steps leading in front of the wonderful Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli.

But let's return to our walk: along the first part of via del Teatro Marcello turn right into via Montanara and Piazza Campitelli. Once past the church of Santa Maria in Portico in Campitelli enter via dei Funari, where you can admire the Fountain of the Turtles, and walk down via dei Falegnami.

You are skirting the Jewish Ghuetto of Rome, one of the most interesting historical districts of the Capital. We recommend a short detour tourist to visit the Jewish Ghetto of Rome. It is a nice walk within a neighborhood in which has past the history of the last two centuries.

If then it's time for lunch do not hesitate to stop in one of the many typical restaurants of via del Portico d'Ottavia.

As you might have noticed, in Rome it's very easy to be "distracted"...  let's go back to the Pilgrim's Way: via dei falegnami ends with the Church of San Carlo ai Catinari, one of the stages of faith of this jubilee way. After a short visit to this church once past Piazza Benedetto Cairoli, go ahead on via di Santa Maria in Monticelli which, after a few meters, becomes Piazza di San Paolo alla Regola.

FROM TRINITA' DEI PELLEGRINI TO ST. PETER'S

DOWLOAD THE LAST PART OF THE MAP OF THE PILGRIM'S WAY

The last part of the Pilgrim's Way is certainly the fastest. We leave from the church of the SS. Trinità dei Pellegrini to arrive, after about 1 km, to the church of San Giovanni dei Fiorentini. Follow this route: take via Capodiferro, once at Piazza Farnese, after a quick glance at the Farnese Palace headquarters of the French embassy, turn left into via del Mascherone and then right into via Giulia. At the end of via Giulia you will find the church of San Giovanni dei Fiorentini, born as national church of the Florentines, today one of the minor Basilicas of Rome.

You are almost to the end: take via Paola, whIch will take you to the Bridge of Sant'Angelo: in front of you stands Castel Sant'Angelo, as impressive as 2,000 years ago, which is the point of arrival of all the ways of this Jubilee of Mercy.
TIPS TO VISIT AND WHAT TO SEE IN CASTEL SANT’ANGELO.

Obviously your way of faith can't end here. Take via della Conciliazione, get to St. Peter Square and beamazed by the majesty and magnificence of the world's biggest Basilica: St. Peter! 

If you have arrived here, we congratulate you. With the visit to the Basilica of St. Peter ends the Way of the Pilgrim, a route of faith, sacrifice but also joy and happiness.

DISCOVER ALSO THE PAPAL WAY
DISCOVER ALSO THE MARIAN WAY
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO JUBILEE

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.