Top Things to Do in Rome this Easter

Visiting Rome at Easter is one of the best times to go to the Eternal City; not only because the weather is usually at its most pleasant with warmer days, longer evenings and lots of sun, but the city is awash with festive cheer for Easter. The city’s events centre around this religious celebration and Italy makes a week of it; from over-the-top flower displays, to emotional masses here’s a list of top things to do in Rome for the first weekend of April. Procession at the Coliseum If you’re in Rome for Good Friday make sure you head down to the Coliseum from 9.15pm. This is where it all kicks off! An unbeatable venue, the iconic Coliseum plays host to Pope Francis who will lead the Stations of the Cross, which involves burning huge torches, a crucifix whilst reading blessings. It's one of Rome's most important annual events and has been practiced since 1774 to honour the martyrs who were killed in ancient times. It’s a truly moving sight and one well worth a watch. Easter Mass at St Peter’s Basilica The Vatican City holds a series of masses from Palm Sunday until Easter Sunday, but if you can’t make the week before hold out for April 5th for Easter Sunday Mass. A hugely popular and ticketed event it’s free but you need to pre-book in advance. The whole of St Peter’s Square is filled with chairs and screens to broadcast this iconic mass to the masses. If you’re not involved, we recommend you avoid the area as it will be very busy with people heading to the event which will kick off at 10.15am and you won't be able to see much else! Pasquetta Pasquetta, meaning Little Easter, is a celebrated holiday on Easter Monday, or in Italian, Lunedi dell’Angelo. It’s a day when everyone has a feast, or usually a picnic, and heads out to the countryside or seaside to celebrate with their families. If you fancy doing the same, Ostia is just a train ride away from Piramide, where you can walk along Rome’s most popular beach; or the archeological site of Ostia Antica, included in the Roma Pass, is a great place to go for the ancient ruins that date back to 3rd century BC. Take a picnic with you and any leftover Easter eggs for a spontaneous hunt! Fireworks at Castel Sant’Angelo On Pasquetta, Easter Monday, you can also enjoy a magnificent and explosive display of fireworks at the iconic Castel Sant’Angelo on the banks of the River Tiber. Not many attractions in Rome have such an impressive and jaw-dropping background, with the dome of St Peter’s Basilica one side and the ancient bridge and city’s main river to another. This mausoleum to Emperor Hadrian was built in 136 AD and is one of Rome’s most iconic landmarks. Enjoy a stunning display of fireworks to culminate the Holy Week – but check with your concierge for the exact start time. Flowers Rome comes alive with vibrant blooms in the spring; the parks are visited by picnickers and roller-bladers and before the heavy heat descends in the summer it’s wonderful season to be outside and enjoy everything the city has to offer. If you’re not too fussed about the religious side of the Easter period, it’s still a great time to visit Rome. The Spanish Steps are decorated by hundreds of lilies and rhododendrons (the big pink ones!) which makes for a beautiful selfie shot. If you’re staying a bit longer, make sure you visit Rome’s Rose Garden on the Aventine Hill, near Circus Maximus, which contains over 1100 varieties of roses from all around the world opening on the 21st April.

Complement your visit to Rome with an OMNIA Vatican & Rome Pass - the all-inclusive sightseeing pass including free, fast track and discounted entry into the top attractions, saving you time and money. Plus the Rome Pass covers all your transport needs with a three day travelcard.

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Our historical and cultural guide to Churches in Rome

Discover the history and cultural beauty of some of the most iconic churches in Rome with our guide! Whether you’re visiting the Eternal City as a tourist or as a pilgrim, exploring the beautiful churches in Rome is a must-do. And with over 900 dotted around the city, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Discovering a small baroque masterpiece on a leisurely amble through the streets is a particular delight, but here is a bit more about the churches we think you wouldn’t want to miss. Brought to you by the team at the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Pass. Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano Known in English as the Basilica of St. John Lateran, this is the official seat of the Bishop of Rome (ie. the Pope). Built during the reign of Constantine I, the first Christian emperor of Rome, it’s also amongst the oldest churches in the world. It has however been through several reconstructions and renovations. The impressive baroque façade was completed in 1735 and includes a portico from which the Pope gives his benediction on Maundy Thursday. Take a good look at the central bronze doors, which are Roman originals, recovered from the Imperial Forum. And once inside, look out for the cosmatesque pavement in the nave (a type of inlaid stonework from the 14th century), and statues of apostles from the 18th century. The basilica also houses several important relics. Don’t forget to visit the adjacent cloisters, which are all that remain of a 13th century Benedictine monastery. Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore Located on the top of Esquiline Hill, the Basilica of St Mary Major is one of the best examples of early Christian churches in Rome. Check out the magnificent 5th-century mosaics and triumphal arch, as well as the crypt of the nativity, home to another prized relic, the crib (or manger) of Jesus Christ. The site for the church was chosen after a legendary summer snowfall in AD 359 - clearly a miracle in the blistering heat of a Roman summer. The event is commemorated every year on 5 August, when a shower of white rose petals is released from the dome. Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura St Paul Outside-the-Walls is the newest of Rome’s four major papal basilicas, relatively speaking. Although it was originally completed in the 5th century, repeated earthquakes and a catastrophic fire meant it had to be completely rebuilt in 1823. It’s still magnificent and marks the burial place of St Paul, who was executed by decapitation in the 4th century. Particular highlights include the Romanesque Easter candle statues and the Gothic baldacchin (a marble canopy at the high altar). The inside of the church is large and imposing, and is joined to a cloister, which was untouched by the fire and dates back to the 13th century. The Pantheon The Pantheon is of course best known as an ancient temple to honour all gods (this is the original Greek meaning of the name), but was turned into a church in 609 AD. This has contributed to its longevity and it remains the best preserved ancient monument in the Italian capital. Made from material quite similar to modern-day concrete, the dome is still the largest unsupported dome in the world. Check out the oculus in the centre, 7.8m in diameter, which is the only source of light in the building. There are of course many more notable churches, including Santa Maria sopra Minerva, build on the site of a pagan temple, and Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo, which contains works by Renaissance artists such as Raphael, Caravaggio and Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Please don’t forget: when visiting churches, bear in mind that these are places of worship. Shorts and skirts should be longer than the knees and shoulders must be covered – some sites may otherwise refuse entry. You may have been surprised not to find St Peter’s Basilica on this list of churches in Rome, but it’s been covered so extensively elsewhere that we thought you would be unlikely to miss it. And technically speaking, it’s actually in the Vatican. What will make your list of favourites?
Megan Hills
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The Best Perspectives in Rome

You expect to see historic ruins and ancient artefacts when you’re in Rome; it’s a given. But there’s so much more to see in terms of its urban landscape. Rome’s flowing river, the Tiber, adds a romantic edge to the dusty cobbled streets and vertiginous viewpoints allow you to climb to the best summits in the city and look over the old Empire. With so many to choose from, we’ve handpicked some of what we think are must-see things to do in Rome for picture-perfect moments. Steal a snapshot of some of Rome’s best panoramas and take home something to remember. St Peter’s Basilica & its Dome St Peter’s Basilica is one of Rome’s most popular landmarks and religious hot-spots. With thousands flocking to the central church every day to step within the marble masterpiece, you know it must be good. Don’t get us wrong, the inside is wonderful, but for something a bit different, we prefer what's on the outside. One of our favourite things to do in St Peter’s Basilica is to climb the dome. For an unparalleled view over Rome, the dome stands at 136.6m – and is the tallest dome in the world. You can climb the 551 steps from the bottom, or take a lift half way, and walk around the dome for a stunning 360 ̊ panorama of the Eternal City. Look across Bernini’s square, over the walls of the Vatican and down to the River Tiber. Appreciate Rome’s terracotta themed skyline and count the domes of the city and take in the sweeping views. It doesn’t get better than this; don’t forget the camera. Villa Borghese Just across the river from St Peter’s Basilica and Castel Sant’Angelo is Piazza del Popolo, at the foot of Villa Borghese, Rome’s most central park. This green pocket of calm provides a nice contrast to the warm tones of the terraced city where visitors and locals alike seek to retreat for a quiet moment. Dotted with English classical buildings, fountains, ponds and meadow like grounds it’s the perfect place for a picnic and to experience the side of Rome that only the locals know about. Find a wooden bench, or take a stroll around the 148 acres (or however many you can manage!) for a clean and green experience of Rome; great to escape from the hustle and bustle of the ancient, vibrant, city. What’s more, if you’re after another view, the Pincio, at the top of the steps leading up from Piazza del Popolo, offers another perspective over Rome, this time from the south of the river. Rome Bus Tour As an alternative experience, Rome Bus Tour – run by Roma Cristiana – offers a great way of exploring the city from all angles – and from the comfort of your seat. As you’re driven through the streets of central Rome, past the old ruins and landmarks of the Eternal City, sit back and enjoy a running commentary of the view. Learn about the hero gladiators that fought in the Coliseum and find out about the famous artists and architects of the city as you pass in front of their monumental masterpieces. Over the river, across from the ancient Forum, Circus Maximus, up to the Vatican City and everything in between, look down the narrow cobbled streets to discover your own Rome. What’s more, you can even hop-on, and hop-off at your leisure should you wish to go exploring.... For the complete sightseeing experience, we can make your life easy with the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Card (including a Roma Pass)– you can get a free hop-on, hop-off ticket for the Rome Bus tour included, as well as skip the line privileges to St Peter’s Basilica. What’s more, you can take advantage of our free guidebook and map that comes with it so you won’t get lost on your way!
Go City Expert
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Double Canonization set to make History

It’s no secret that Pope John Paul II is to be canonized in St Peter’s Square this spring, on April 27th in fact, the day in which Catholics celebrate the Divine Mercy and the second Sunday of Easter. Now, however, we can witness not one but two canonizations, as both Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII will be declared saints together – a ground- breaking ceremony and the first dual canonization in history. As Rome is usually a place of pilgrimage, with thousands flocking to Saint Peter’s Basilica every year, all year round, numbers of visitors to the capital are expected to soar as the event will draw in the masses from around the globe. For these two powerful symbols of the Roman Catholic Church to be canonized in a society where saints are a thing of the past, thought of as legends and heroes, it is the turning of a new leaf to celebrate Popes that have influenced people of today's world and have revolutionized today’s church as it stands. The ceremony, held in St Peter’s Square, the centre of the Catholic Church, is to celebrate the achievements of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII and sanctify them as modern day magnates. Previously, the (unwritten) rules of becoming a saint were you had to have produced two miracles, yet, a(nother) slight break in tradition means that Pope John XXIII only has one official miracle to his name; Pope John II has two. It’s believed that around 3 million people are to descend on the capital over the weekend of the 26th-27th April to witness this historic event, drawing not only pilgrims and faithful followers, but also 19 heads of state and 24 prime ministers. If you are in the capital over this weekend, please check ATAC for travel updates and plan your journeys in advance. Be aware that the capital will be much busier than usual. The OMNIA Vatican & Rome Card is made up of the Roma Pass which acts as your three day travelcard.
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