Routes for the Holy Year 2015 of Rome: Marian Way

Two basilicas, three churches, a prison, so many historic streets and squares of Rome. This, and actually much more, is the Marian way, one of the routes planned for the Jubilee 2015 and to be covered exclusively on foot as explicitly demanded by Pope Francis. This are in fact itineraries of faith but presumably the pilgrims will bring many more "tourist" alternatives.

Learn with us all the stages and the useful information to get around Rome, download and take with you the maps that we have created ad hoc to organize the trip and to find your way more quickly in the Capital.

JUBILEE 2015: MARIAN WAY

This route is slightly more than 5 kilometers (5,1 to be precise) that can be covered in about 64 minutes. Most likely, considering not only the compulsory religious stops, but also cultural and refreshment stops, in half a day it is possible to complete the itinerary and arrive to the Basilica of St. Peter. 
Let's discover together, then, the Marian Way with all the stages of faith. 
DOWNLOAD THE FULL MAP OF THE MARIAN WAY

STARTING FROM BASILICA DI SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE

The Marian way is the only Jubilee route starting from the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. Easily reachable on foot, both from Termini train station and Colosseo metro stop, this basilica is a true Early Christian art and architecture masterpiece with some of the most beautiful mosaics, frescoes and sculptures in Rome.

Once you finish the visit to the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, ready, steady, go! We leave to the Imperial Fora! Follow our map and you won't get lost.
DOWNLOAD THE MAP WITH THE FIRST STAGE OF THE MARIAN WAY 

The first streets to cover are via S. Maria Maggiore, via Urbana, via Leonina, via della Madonna dei Monti, via Tor dei Conti. Take Via dei Fori Imperiali and go towards Venice Square leaving the Colosseum behind (no one forbids you to make a detour and visit quickly the Colosseum).

The Imperial Fora is probably Rome's most famous and at the same time most beautiful archeological area. It is a walk in history that, starting from the Colosseum, takes the tourist to the Altar of the Fatherland. The Marian way, though, will make you make a detour before getting to Venice Square. A few hundred meters from the square, you will have to turn left and take via di San Pietro in Carcere that will lead you to the Mamertine prison, the oldest prison in the world. The prison where Peter and Paul were taken captive. The prison is open every day and can be visit paying an admission fee of €5. Continuing along via del carcere you will arrive in front of the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, you will be at the Capitoline Hill, the political heart of Rome.

FROM TEATRO MARCELLO TO LARGO DI TORRE ARGENTINA

DOWNLOAD THE MAP WITH THE SECOND STAGE OF THE MARIAN WAY 

Going down the characteristic flight of steps of the Cordonata del Campidoglio continue left towards via del teatro Marcello, which is named after the theatre with the same name, Theatre of Marcellus, known in Rome as the small Colosseum. At this pont, we suggest a second tourist detour that will lead you to visit the characteristic Jewish guetto of Rome entering precisely from the ruins of the Theatre of Marcellus and passng throught the all-beautiful Portico d’Ottavia. 

Going back to our route of faith, take via Montanara and once you get to Piazza Campitelli you will admire the church of Santa Marina in Portico in Campitelli.

Continue along via dei Funari and don't miss the splendid Fountain of the Turtles partly built by Bernini.

Take now via Paganica and you'll get straight to Largo di Torre Argentina, among the most important hubs for tourists visiting Rome. Don0t miss the ruins of the Sacred Area where Julius Caesar was murdered.

FROM TORRE ARGENTINA TO PIAZZA NAVONA

DOWLOAD THE MAP WITH THE THIRD STAGE OF THE MARIAN WAY

Continuing along via dei Cestari you wil get to Piazza della Minerva, seat of the Basilica di Santa Maria sopra Minerva. Further on, in via della Palombella, you will admire the Pantheon in all its beauty, monument that Michelangelo described as “work of angels and not of humans”. The Pantheon is the temple devoted to all the gods (pan meand all, while theon means god).

The way continues through Piazza Sant’Eustachio and via dei Sediari which will allow you into the splendid Piazza Navona, the most loved square by Romans where, sipping a coffee or eating some spaghetti "cacio e pepe", you can watch street artists, painters, churches and works of art unparalleled in beauty and perfection.

HAPPY ENDING AT CASTEL SANT'ANGELO

From here on, the Marian way connects to the Papal way, which ends at the Basilica of St. Peter.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE WITH THE LAST STAGE OF THE WAY
GO TO THE PILGRIM'S WAY
GO TO THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE 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.