Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome Walking Tour (Self Guided), Rome

Rome has long played host to pilgrims-after all, it's home to the Pope, the Catholic Curia, and a treasure trove of relics linked to apostles, saints, and martyrs. Back in the day, the Via Francigena provided a straight shot for the faithful traveling from England to Rome. Upon arrival, it was tradition to visit the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul. When a Jubilee rolled around, the spiritual perks often came with a catch: a visit to one or more designated churches.

Around 1553, Philip Neri, who is sometimes known as the Second Apostle of Rome after Saint Peter, decided to shake things up by creating the Seven Pilgrim Churches. Neri mapped out a route that paired spiritual devotion with a bit of sightseeing, highlighting the heritage of early saints. These churches earned their holy status by housing cherished relics of legendary saints and having their own religious significance.

Neri's itinerary? Saint Peter's Basilica, the largest Catholic church and the spiritual center of the Catholic faith; Saint Paul's, the burial site of Saint Paul the Apostle; Saint John Lateran, the oldest church in Europe and the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome; Saint Mary Major, the largest church in Rome dedicated to the Virgin Mary; and three minor basilicas due to the standings in the Catholic world: Saint Sebastian's, Holy Cross-in-Jerusalem, and Saint Lawrence.

For medieval pilgrims who couldn't make it to far-flung destinations like Santiago de Compostela or the Holy Land, a seven-stop shuffle was the perfect alternative. Plus, with four major papal basilicas on the list, each boasting a Holy Door reserved for special Jubilee years, it was like hitting the spiritual jackpot.

Back in the day, Philip Neri and his crew would kick things off at dawn and trek from church to church, pausing at each stop for prayers, hymns, and one of Neri's famously heartfelt sermons. Fast forward to today, you can retrace their route on your own schedule-minus the pre-dawn alarm bell-by taking a self-guided walk through these iconic religious landmarks.

Tip: Pack a snack and enjoy a nibble at Villa Celimontana, a serene park packed with gorgeous gardens. In times past, the Mattei family generously turned their lush estate into a rest stop for weary pilgrims, serving up bread, wine, cheese, eggs, apples, and salami. These pastoral “picnics” were spiced up with music and singing, creating a more soulful alternative to the wild revelry of Carnival.