The Holy Week is a special time to come visit Rome and the Vatican.
4-days deal: from Good Friday to Easter Monday (18-22
Why
It is one of Christianity’s oldest and most revered
You can witness people interacting with their spiritual leaders throughout the city.
Even if you are of a different faith, or not religiously-minded, the sense of expectation and excitement is still amazing.
What’s on
During Easter, the Vatican takes center stage.
The main event is the Via Crucis led by Papa Francesco in the night of Good Friday (departing from the Colosseum at 9.15pm, 19th of April), a traditional procession which retraces Christ’s way to his crucifixion, commemorating the fourteen stages (‘stazioni’) of Christ’s passion. Even if you are not religious, it is a very moving experience.
Here you can watch last year’s Via Crucis.
It will be crowded, obviously, but if you prefer something more intimate, there is in Rome an alternative, at Testaccio at
You can choose to visit one of the smaller neighboring towns, such as Albano Laziale, Castel Madama, Ariccia, Cerveteri (where you can visit one of the many UNESCO world heritage sites in Italy), or Bracciano (where more than 100 performers will re-enact the Passion of Christ in its medieval center)
Pope Francis
On Saturday and Sunday, you can see the Pope on various occasion. There will be masses at St. Peter, the Via Crucis, the ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing from the balcony on the facade of Saint Peter’s (one of the two given in a year. The other one is at Christmas). A list of the events can be found here.
Listen to last year ‘Urbi et Orbi’ message
Easter Monday as the Romans do
At Pasquetta, (Easter Monday) enjoy the spring outside. You can have a picnic in a Villa in
If you fancy a short trip “fuori le mura” (‘beyond the walls’, that is to say outside of Rome), reach Villa Gregoriana in Tivoli. You will not regret it.