Rome

Rome, a city rich in history and beauty, is currently undergoing an incredible transformation thanks to the Jubilee restorations. Among the most iconic sites, three monuments stand out for their stunning restorations that are sure to captivate visitors.

From the world-famous Trevi Fountain to the fascinating Castel Sant’Angelo and the newly accessible sites in the Roman Forum, these restored landmarks offer a fresh perspective on Rome’s timeless splendor. Here’s what you can’t miss.

1. Trevi Fountain: Restored to Its Former Glory

The Trevi Fountain, one of Rome’s most famous landmarks, has been magnificently restored as part of the Jubilee celebrations. Read more here.

Known for its Baroque design and the tradition of coin-throwing, the fountain is now more dazzling than ever. The marble has been carefully cleaned, and its water features have been updated, ensuring the Trevi Fountain retains its iconic beauty for future generations.

The restoration brings back the vibrancy of the sculptures, including the magnificent figure of Oceanus, and the marble steps that lead to the fountain’s pools are now gleaming. The Trevi Fountain recently made an appearance in the popular series Emily in Paris, showcasing its grandeur as a must-see Roman destination.

The visitors’ rules for the Trevi Fountain have recently changed, you can find more info here.

2. Castel Sant’Angelo Bridge: A Step Back in Time

The restoration of Castel Sant’Angelo Bridge (Ponte Sant’Angelo) is another highlight of the Jubilee restorations in Rome. This bridge, originally built in 134 AD, is not only an architectural wonder but also a crucial connection between the Vatican and the city.

The restoration has enhanced the visual appeal of the bridge, with careful attention paid to the statues that line it, many of which have been cleaned and restored to their original splendor.

3. Roman Forum: New Discoveries and Restorations

While the art and monuments of Rome have long captured the attention of visitors, its archaeology is just as fascinating. The Jubilee restorations have revealed newly accessible sites within the Roman Forum, bringing visitors even closer to understanding ancient Roman life.

Among the highlights is the Horrea Piperataria, the ancient spice warehouse, which has been restored to showcase the sophistication of Roman trade.

Also newly opened is the House of Livia, the opulent residence of Emperor Augustus. This home now allows visitors to see beautifully preserved frescoes and mosaics that tell the story of daily life in ancient Rome.

Equally exciting is the restoration of the Domus Tiberiana, the grand residence of Emperor Tiberius. Visitors can now walk through this remarkable site and explore the luxurious rooms where Roman emperors once lived.

Why the Jubilee Restorations Matter

The Jubilee restorations in Rome go beyond just preserving art and monuments; they provide us with an opportunity to connect with the past.

From the rejuvenated Trevi Fountain to the newly accessible archaeological sites in the Roman Forum, these restorations help bring Rome’s rich history and culture into the present.

Whether you’re admiring the clean, gleaming sculptures at Piazza Navona or walking through the Roman Forum’s newly opened sites, the Jubilee restorations are a testament to Rome’s enduring legacy as the heart of Western civilization.

If you haven’t experienced these restored treasures yet, now is the perfect time to visit.

The Jubilee restorations in Rome are truly something to behold.

With the Trevi Fountain, Castel Sant’Angelo, and the Roman Forum’s new sites, visitors can enjoy a fresh perspective on Rome’s rich history.

These restored monuments offer a deeper connection to the past while showcasing the city’s timeless beauty. Be sure to add these to your list of must-see destinations when you visit Rome.

Ready to explore these stunning restorations in Rome? Book your tour today and discover the beauty of Rome’s iconic landmarks, freshly restored for the Jubilee!

As Rome gets ready for the Holy Year, visitors during 2024 will see lots of works in progress in preparation of welcoming some estimated 35,000,000 pilgrims alone to the city during the course of 2025. But what exactly is the Jubilee?

1. What is a Jubilee?

In short, it is a period of one year of religious reflection within the Catholic Church during which the Pope grants absolution from all sins to the faithful who travel to Rome to take part in religious initiatives, confess their sins, and receive the eucharist

The Jubilee of the Catholic Church was invented by Pope Bonifacio the VIII in 1300, and it originates from a Jewish tradition taking place every 50 years where to signal the beginning of one year of peace for the earth, a ram’s horn, yobel in Hebrew, was blown from where we get the term Jubilee.

2. The Jubilee of 2025

The Jubilee of 2025 (with the theme Pilgrims of Hope as we find ourselves in times of increasing wars, climate crisis), commences with the Pope opening the Holy Doors of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, on December 24, 2024 which remain open for a year for the passage of pilgrims. 

At the same time, the Holy Doors of the three other Papal Basilicas in Rome: Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Basilica of San Paolo Fuori le Mura will also be open. 

The Pope’s use of a hammer to dislodge the bricks that had been used to seal up the door at its closure at the end of the previous Holy Year has been abandoned. 

Nowadays, the wall sealing up the door is dismantled a few days ahead of the ceremony. During this operation, a casket, which had been bricked over since the end of the previous Holy Year, is extracted, and inside is the key which allows the door to be opened.

There will be many events and religious ceremonies all across the Catholic world, but how will this affect your stay in Rome?

3. Planning your visit

– Book in advance!

We can certainly expect a high influx of visitors and pilgrims so preparing your travel well in advance is strongly recommended. 

Take a look at our Jubilee Tours, which we have specifically designed for the Holy Year.

Similarly, if you are looking to visit the must-see highlights such as the Colosseum (Classic Private Colosseum Tour), Vatican (Vatican Private Tours), and the churches themselves, we can assume that tickets to the sites are going to be harder to come by than ever so whether you are planning on exploring these yourself or with an expert guide, booking early is key!

– Accommodation during the Jubilee

Hotels, private rentals and AirBNB are already taking reservations and expect prices to hike considerably, as well as train tickets. Great neighbourhoods to stay in are the Pantheon/piazza Navona area, Trastevere, Monti, San Giovanni, Testaccio, and the Vatican/Prati area, all with excellent transportation networks and easy strolls to the city centre sites.

4. Visiting the Basilica of St. Peter

The Basilica of St. Peter itself will be subject to a number of closures and restrictions during special celebrations and while there is a General Calendar Jubilee 2025, most likely there will be further disruptions as the festivities get underway but if you want a superb option to visit the church with a spectacular view of Rome from the Dome of St. Peter, join us during this very special moment on our Private St. Peter and Dome Tour!

5. Explore other cities and go off the beaten path to avoid the crowds!

Since we are heading into the Holy Year, we realise that many visitors may not wish to engage with the throngs of pilgrims so to escape the hustle and bustle, there’s plenty of other things to enjoy such as day trips to Pompeii and Naples, the Amalfi Coast as well as heading north to Florence or Venice, or staying closer to Rome, Tivoli, the ancient port of Ostia or the beautiful towns of Orvieto, Bracciano, Orvieto, Bagnoregio to name just a few! 

Keeping in line with off-the-beaten path as we feel this a great approach, bear in mind there are over 200 museums and galleries in Rome so instead of joining the crowds at the best known, let’s take you to see other wonders!

We are a huge fan of the Villa Giulia which plays host to Etruscan treasures which you could couple with a visit to Cerveteri for a full experience of this ancient tribe. 

Villa Torlonia, set in beautiful gardens, is another site often overlooked by visitors with many fascinating artworks and exhibitions throughout the year, recently with newly opened anti aircraft shelter and bunker located under the Casino Nobile, structures built during World War II so Rome really has something to wet everyone’s appetite!

We also have the amazing hills of Castelli Romani where you can explore the Papal Palaces of Castel Gandolfo or enjoy an authentic wine-tasting lunch – when in Rome!

6. Ask for a Customised Church and Relics tour!

You might want to keep with the religious theme and join us for a private customised tour of some of Rome’s churches, there are over 900! but we will help you pin down the most interesting hidden gems. 

Santa Maria in Trastevere, Santa Pudenziana, Santa Sabina, Santa Costanza with the 7th-century church of Sant’Agnese Fuori Le Mura just a stone’s throw away, are some of the most important, but usually not visited by the majority of travellers.

Other important cities taking part in the Jubilee are Assisi, Milan, and San Giovanni Rotondo.

We look forward to welcoming you to Italy during this very exciting period! Don’t hesitate to contact us