The 2025 Jubilee Year has come to a close, and the statistics are in: over 33 million pilgrims made their way to the Eternal City during that time. For the story on Vatican News, see here.
During our research visits for the new, 13th edition, of Blue Guide Rome, we certainly noticed how busy the city was. Not only with pilgrims, it must be said. Sheer pressure of numbers has led the municipality to announce that there will now be a charge to visit the Trevi Fountain.
But Rome remains as capitvating as ever. A wide-reaching programme of restoration is underway and many buildings and monuments are looking lovelier than ever. There is a new Archaeological Park at the foot of the Caelian Hill, with the stone fragments of the Forma Urbis, the 3rd-century map of the city, pieced together under glass, so you can explore the ancient streets on foot. The Octagonal Hall at the Baths of Diocletian have reopened as a Museum of Salvaged Art, with a rotating display of antique pieces brought back to Italy from museums and collections abroad. And there are still plenty of quiet enclaves. The Vatican and St Peter’s Basilica are very busy. But the basilica of St Paul outside the Walls remains peaceful.
Blue Guide Rome, 13th ed, is published in Europe in April, and in the US in September.
