What to do in Rome and the Vatican during the Jubilee

Rome Rome is preparing to celebrate the Jubilee of 2025 with unparalleled magnificence, preparing to host millions of pilgrims and visitors from all over the world. This extraordinary religious event transforms the Eternal City into a must-see destination, offering those who attend the opportunity to deepen their spirituality along with knowledge of the extraordinary artistic and historical beauty of Rome and the Vatican.

In addition to its rich religious dimension, Rome offers a wide range of cultural experiences that further enrich visitors' journey during the Jubilee. journey Whether you choose to visit Rome for religious reasons or not, you will find yourself immersed in a unique journey that interweaves past and present, faith and culture. culture.

Here then are five not-to-be-missed experiences to enjoy in Rome and the Vatican during Jubilee 2025.

1. Tour of St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums

Visiting St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums during Jubilee 2025 is an absolutely must-see: these places represent the beating heart of faith and art in Vatican City and offer an unforgettable experience. In the majestic St. Peter's Basilica it is possible to visit the dome designed by Michelangelo and venture into the depths of the crypts, where past popes rest. 

A visit to the Vatican Museums, with its countless works of art, also offers an extraordinary experience combining art, history and spirituality: inside, visitors can admire paintings by great masters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Caravaggio, as well as ancient sculptures and precious medieval manuscripts. 

However, the highlight of any visit is the Sistine Chapel, known worldwide for its frescoes. These include Michelangelo's masterpiece on the ceiling, the famous depiction of the Creation of Adam, and the majestic Last Judgment painted on the wall behind the altar.

2. The pilgrimage of the Seven Churches of Rome 

On the occasion of the Jubilee Year, Rome stands as a place of excellence for pilgrims, offering a variety of Jubilee routes that have its splendid churches as their destination. Among these, the pilgrimage par excellence is the seven-church pilgrimage: also known seven-church pilgrimagortour of the seven churchesit is a very old Christian tradition of visiting seven significant churches in a single day or in a relatively short period of time.

The seven-church tour of Rome includes visits to the four major basilicas (the Basilica of St. Peter, St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls and St. Mary Major). These are joined by the Basilica of St. Lawrence Outside the Walls, the Basilica of St. Cross in Jerusalem and the Basilica of St. Sebastian Outside the Walls.

The itinerary winds its way through the heart of the city, extending to the Roman countryside and catacombs: it travels along the Via delle Sette Chiese, also known as the Via Paradisi, which connects the Via Ostiense to the Via Appia, thus offering an almost complete exploration of Rome.

3. Visit to the Vatican Necropolis

The Vatican Necropolis is one of the most fascinating and mysterious places within the walls of Vatican City. It is distinguished for being considered the alleged burial place of St. Peter, one of the twelve apostles and the first pope. This aspect adds an aura of sacredness and spiritual significance to this place, within which one can admire the Temple of Emperor Constantine and several cemetery areas, bearing witness to various eras and religious traditions that are intertwined in a fascinating journey into the past. 

With its labyrinthine corridors and rock-cut tombs, the Vatican Necropolis is thus a true archaeological treasure that reveals the secrets of ancient Rome and the first Christian communities.Through guided tours, visitors can explore this sacred place and discover the evidence of the first Christian martyrs, the tombs of the first popes and Roman emperors. The Vatican Necropolis offers not only a historical and spiritual experience, but also an opportunity to reflect on the depth of faith and the importance of memory in our human journey.

4. Discovering mosaic art: a journey into the study of the Vatican mosaic

The Vatican Mosaic School represents an important chapter in the history of art and craftsmanship in general, with a tradition rooted in the 16th century. 

Founded in 1579 by Pope Gregory XIII, it has played a key role in the preservation and development of this art form. Its master craftsmen have handed down mosaic and micromosaic techniques for generations, keeping the rich Vatican cultural heritage alive.

However, Vatican mosaics are renowned not only for their technical mastery, but above all for their artistic and historical value: in St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums, it is possible to admire some of the most beautiful and important mosaics in the history of art.

Mosaic art is not only a treasure preserved in its churches and basilicas, but is also reflected in the many galleries scattered throughout the surrounding area. 

These galleries offer a unique opportunity for art lovers to take home a piece of Vatican mosaic art. 

Among them Savelli Arte e Tradizione stands out among the artistic mosaic stores in St. Peter's Square because of its wide selection and the family tradition it carries on: its private collection has more than one hundred Roman micromosaics from the 18th and 19th centuries, and some of them are permanently on display in the Vatican Museums. 

Each mosaic in their selection represents a unique piece of Roman art; here, among the works of contemporary artists and reproductions of ancient mosaics, it is possible to find unique pieces that embody the artistry and intrinsic beauty of this art form. 

They also offer courses and workshops to preserve and promote the art of mosaic, allowing enthusiasts to learn ancient techniques and develop new artistic skills under the expert guidance of the Savelli family's master mosaicists.

5. Shopping in St. Peter's Square

Shopping at St. Peter's during the Jubilee is more than just shopping; it is an opportunity for tourists and visitors to take home a tangible reminder of their experience at the Vatican and the deep meaning of the pilgrimage. 

Along the streets surrounding the square, Rome's historic stores offer a variety of religious items, from blessed medals to handcrafted rosariesallowing pilgrims to take home a souvenir of their visit to the Vatican. 

In this sense, shopping at St. Peter's becomes a moment of connection and meaning, a way to take home not only material items, but also the indelible memory of a spiritual experience that touches the heart and soul.

With a wide choice of activities and places to explore, from religious rituals in Vatican City to walks among the churches of Rome, the Jubilee offers a comprehensive experience that can meet the spiritual and cultural needs of anyone, promising to leave an indelible imprint on the hearts and souls of those fortunate enough to participate.

For everyone else, it is also possible to live the Vatican experience from a distance, such as buying a religious item from the stores at the Vatican and asking for the Pope's complimentary blessing for their religious purchases.