Jubilee 2025: Itinerary for an Accessible Pilgrimage for Everyone
Have you ever dreamed of embarking on a pilgrimage accessible to everyone through the most iconic basilicas of Rome? In this article, we explore the opportunities, accessible routes, personalised tips, and benefits offered by the city of Rome to make the 2025 Jubilee an experience that everyone can enjoy, regardless of mobility challenges or other disabilities.
What is the Jubilee?
The Jubilee is a special event of the Catholic Church, celebrated every 25 years, offering the faithful the opportunity to receive plenary indulgences and participate in rites of purification and spiritual renewal. As a result, the Holy Year of 2025 is expected to attract millions of pilgrims from around the world, and Rome is preparing to make this experience possible for all, regardless of mobility difficulties or other disabilities.
The Tradition of the 7 Churches Pilgrimage: Now Accessible to All
This tradition was initiated by Saint Philip Neri in the 16th century. He proposed a route that would guide the faithful through Rome’s major basilicas, inviting them to reflect on the mystery of faith and renew their spirituality. Nowadays, thanks to the efforts of the Church and local authorities, all the basilicas along the route have adopted measures to make the pilgrimage experience more accessible.
Churches included in the route are:
- St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican
- St. Paul’s Basilica Outside The Walls
- St. Sebastian’s Basilica Outside The Walls
- St. John Lateran Basilica
- Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem
- St. Lawrence’s Basilica Outside The Walls
- St. Mary Major Basilica
The Seven Churches of Rome accessible for the Jubilee 2025: a Journey among Faith and History
Let’s embark on our journey! Imagine walking along roads that date back thousands of years, immersing yourself in Rome’s millennia-old history. You’ll pass through piazzas, fountains, monuments, palaces, and basilicas that have withstood the test of time and bear witness to history. Your journey will not just be a physical path, but also an inner journey. The 7 Churches Pilgrimage is not only a religious journey, but also an opportunity to experience faith, history, and art, with the Eternal City as a majestic background.
Access here the interactive map.
1. St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican: Accessible Jubilee
St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican
Services for people with disabilities
- Reserved parking
- Preferred entrance with a ramp to access the security check and entry
- Accessible toilets
- Elevators that take you from the Square to the atrium of the Basilica, making it easy to reach the Chapel of the Pietà and St. Peter’s tomb
- Sign language tours available
- Paths for visitors with mobility difficulties, suitable for wheelchairs and electric scooters
Useful Information
- Address: St. Peter’s Square, 00120 Vatican City.
- Visit Duration: about 1 hour.
- Transport to the next basilica (St. Paul’s Outside the Walls): Bookable taxis with wheelchair services, or Bus Line 23 from St. Peter’s Square towards Pincherle/Parravano, with a stop at Baldelli.
- Travel Time: about 45 minutes by bus; about 25 minutes by taxi.
- For visitors with certified disabilities over 74%, entry is free.
Contacts
Personalised Tips
Avoid peak hours and book necessary assistance in advance to fully enjoy your visit. After admiring Michelangelo’s grand dome, take a relaxing break in the square, perhaps enjoying a typical Italian espresso nearby. With the comfort of our Electric Scooter Tommy, you will be able to enjoy your visits in the most beautiful places in Rome without any worries.
2. St. Paul’s Basilica Outside the Walls: Accessible Jubilee
St. Paul’s Basilica Outside the Walls
Services for People with Disabilities
- Accessible entrance via ramps.
- Accessible paths inside the basilica and the cloister.
- Assistance from the Basilica staff for visits to the cloister and garden.
- Paths for visually impaired or blind people connecting the Metro B stop with the back of the Basilica on Via Ostiense.
Useful Information
- Address: Piazzale San Paolo 1, Rome 00146.
- Visit Duration: about 45 minutes.
- Transport to the next basilica (St. Sebastian Outside the Walls): Taxi is recommended for a direct route. Alternatively, Metro Line B direction Rebibbia/Jonio from Basilica S. Paolo to Colosseo, then Bus Line 118 towards Appia/Villa dei Quintili, stopping at Basilica S. Sebastiano.
- Travel Time: 25 minutes by taxi; 35 minutes by public transport.
Contacts
- Email: [email protected]
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone Number: +39 06 69880800
- Telephone Number: +39 06 69880802
Personalized tips
After exploring the impressive mosaics, take a short walk in the basilica’s garden. Take your time to visit the cloister, a place of peace and reflection, easily accessible to visitors in wheelchairs.
Rent now a wheelchair or an electric scooter for your stay in Rome, so that you can fully enjoy your pilgrimage.
3. St. Sebastian’s Basilica Outside the Walls: Accessible Jubilee
St. Sebastian’s Basilica Outside the Walls
Services for people with disabilities
- Reserved parking.
- Accessible paths to visit the basilica.
- Unfortunately, the catacombs are not wheelchair accessible, but there are braille paths available for blind visitors, along with sign language tours.
Useful information
- Address: Via Appia Antica, 136, Rome 00179.
- Visit Duration: about 30 minutes.
- Transport to the next basilica (St. John Lateran): Taxi recommended; Bus Line 218 from Ardeatina (Fosse Ardeatine) towards Porta S. Giovanni.
- Travel Time: about 25 minutes by taxi; 31 minutes by bus.
Contacts
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone Number: +39 06 45430260 – 261
Note
After visiting the Basilica, the Appia Antica, one of the oldest and most picturesque roads in Rome, is partially accessible, as some sections still preserve the original cobblestones. Make sure to check the official website to verify the accessibility of the specific route you plan to take.
4. St. John Lateran Basilica: Accessible Jubilee
Services for people with disabilities
- Ramp for easy access to the Holy Door.
- Accessible toilets.
- First-aid facilities inside the basilica.
- Accessible paths for visitors with mobility impairments or blindness.
- Elevators to access the most important areas of the basilica, including the Holy Stairs.
Useful Information
- Address: Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano, 00184 Rome.
- Visit Duration: about 1 hour.
- Transport to the next basilica (Holy Cross in Jerusalem): The basilica is only a 15-minute walk away, but for those who prefer to avoid walking, a short taxi ride or bus (Line 3 or 673) is available.
- Travel Time: 5 minutes by taxi; 15 minutes on foot or by bus.
Contacts
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone Number: +39 06 69886433
- Web Site
Personalized tips
Visit the Holy Stairs for a profound spiritual experience, accessible through a side ramp and easy-to-navigate paths. Also, don’t forget to check out the nearby Egyptian obelisk, one of Rome’s oldest and most fascinating monuments. If walking for longer distances worries you, then our electric scooters Tommy and Maximo are what you’re looking for. With them, distances shrink!
5. Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem: Accessible Jubilee
Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem
Services for People with Disabilities
- Ramp at the main entrance.
- Elevator for access to the Relics Museum and internal chapels.
- Accessible toilets.
- The possibility to rent audio devices with descriptions accessible to the visually impaired.
Useful information
- Address: Piazza di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, 00185 Rome.
- Visit Duration: about 40 minutes.
- Transport to the next basilica (St. Lawrence Outside the Walls): Taxi recommended; alternatively, Bus Line 03 from Holy Cross in Jerusalem to Valle Giulia, getting off at Verano.
- Travel Time: about 7 minutes by taxi; 15 minutes by bus.
Contacts
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone Number: +39 06 70613053
- Web Site
Personalized tips
Take a moment to visit the Garden of the Relics, a quiet space that invites meditation, easily accessible with all types of wheelchair and electric scooter.
6. St. Lawrence’s Basilica Outside the Walls: Accessible Jubilee
St. Lawrence’s Basilica Outside the Walls
Services for People with Disabilities
- Accessible entrance with ramp.
- Internal paths suitable for wheelchairs.
- Accessible toilets.
- Guided tours for the blind, with tactile descriptions of the main works of art.
Useful information
- Address: Piazzale del Verano, 3, 00185 Rome.
- Visit Duration: about 40 minutes.
- Transport to the next basilica (St. Mary Major): Taxi recommended, or Bus Line 71 from Piazzale del Verano to Via Carlo Alberto. From there, it’s a short walk to St. Mary Major.
- Travel Time: about 10 minutes by taxi; 20 minutes by bus.
Contacts
- Email: [email protected]
- Web Site
Personalized tips
The basilica is set in a lush green area, making it a perfect opportunity to stop and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the surroundings. Remember that it is available for you the interactive map to find the dining venues and sights nearby.
7. St. Mary Major Basilica: Accessible Jubilee
Services for People with Disabilities
- Access facilitated by elevators and ramps.
- Accessible toilets.
- Elevators to reach the most relevant areas of the basilica, including the Sistine Chapel and the Crypt of the Nativity.
- Paths for the blind and audio aids for the deaf.
Useful Information
- Address: Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore, 00100 Rome.
- Visit Duration: about 1 hour.
- Transport: As this is the final stop on the pilgrimage, you can choose to return to your starting point or head towards other city attractions, all reachable by taxi or public transport.
Contacts
- Email: [email protected]
- Web Site
Personalized tips
Visit the Sistine Chapel, also known as the “Chapel of the Nativity” (not to be confused with the one in the Vatican), a hidden Baroque gem within the basilica. Take advantage of the proximity to the Church of St. Peter in Vincoli, where you can admire Michelangelo’s famous Moses statue. Thanks to our electric scooters you will be able to move freely from one place to the other without concerns, as a way to admire the breathtaking streets of Rome.
Useful Tips for the Pilgrimage: Renting Services
Rent an electric scooter or wheelchair to make moving around easier. Click here for discounted rental prices, and enjoy your stay in Rome with peace of mind.
Closing the Pilgrimage Together: Stay in Touch!
The 7 Churches Pilgrimage is an experience that will stay with you, offering spiritual and cultural growth tailored to the needs of all pilgrims, thanks to the efforts made to ensure accessibility.
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