This March, the big event in Rome is Easter. Falling at the end of the month, Easter is a great time to visit the city. It is the perfect starting point for a Rome road trip, just as spring arrives. Use your time in the city to really explore Rome’s religious architecture. Don’t just visit St Peter’s and the Pantheon, but the smaller churches as well. Santa Maria del Popolo, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore are particularly impressive.
Photo by: TTstudio/Fotolia
Besides the churches themselves, there are some fantastic painting and sculptures to be viewed. Santa Maria del Popolo for example is home to Caravaggio’s Martyrdom of St. Peter and Conversion of St. Paul and some of Bernini’s statues. The creepy Capuchin crypt and ossuary at Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini are also worthy of a visit. We’ve mentioned it before but we can’t get enough of these exquisitely decorated rooms. They also answer several important questions. Yes, you can make an ornate ceiling rose out of human vertebrae and kneecaps. You can also use a human spine to create circular patterns!
After you’ve exhausted Rome’s attractions, head out on the open road. Explore Naples via a road trip which is sure to appeal to even the most experienced culture vulture. Don’t forget to check out these local specialities when you need to refuel!
Easter in Rome
Let’s face it, the biggest event in Rome is Easter. This year, Easter falls in March. You’d better get your skates on if you want to book a trip to the Eternal City!
Via Crucis
One of the main events is the Via Crucis or “Way of the Cross” procession at Easter. This year it falls on March 25th. It sees the Pope leading a procession from the Colosseum to the Palantine Hill in memory of Christ’s last walk to Mount Golgotha.
Urbi et Orbi
On Easter Sunday, the Papal address will be given from the central balcony above St Peter’s Square. Get there early. The Square will fill up with thousands of worshippers, pilgrims, and tourists quickly for the
Easter Mass.
A Rome Road Trip to Naples
Distance: 294km
Driving time: 3hrs 50mins
Now for the road trip! Leaving Rome, head out on the Via del Mare towards Ostia and Fiumicino. You’re aiming for Ostia Antica, a huge archaeological site and the remains of ancient Rome’s port city.
Ostia Antica
Thought to have been the original incarnation of Rome, Ostia Antica dates from around the 7th century BC. Although, archaeological evidence only provides dates from the 4th century BC. The ruins themselves are remarkably intact. They make it easy to imagine what life was like for the ancient Romans. The amphitheatre is one of the main attractions and even hosts performances during the summer. Other highlights include the Terme di Nettuno (Baths of Neptune) and a café complete with bar and the original menu inscribed on the wall above.
There are also some excellent, preserved mosaics and frescoes which again bring the past to life. The Terme di Nettuno floor mosaics are particularly impressive and feature Neptune in his chariot.
From Ostia, head back to Rome’s ring road and take the A1 south to Naples.
Naples
One of the highlights here is the Naples National Archaeological Museum. It features a number of important artefacts from Herculaneum and Papyri. It is considered to be one of the most important archaeological museums in the world.
Photo by: JFL Photography/Fotolia
Make sure you leave plenty of time to visit Duomo di Napoli. The cathedral dates from the 13th century and is home to artwork and stonework by Domenichino, Massimo Stanzione, Francesco Solimena, Pietro Perugino, and Luca Giordano.
The Cappella Sansevero, a Baroque chapel famous for containing Giuseppe Sanmartino’s incredible sculpture, Cristo Velato (Veiled Christ) is also a must-see.
Herculaneum
Lying south east of Naples, the ancient Roman town of Herculaneum was destroyed by Vesuvius in 79AD. Along with Pompeii, it forms some of the best preserved ruins in the world. It has helped to advance our understanding of Roman life immeasurably.
Some of the more famous sites include the old boat houses on the beach, where 59 skeletons were unearthed in the 80’s. It is thought the victims were awaiting rescue by boat when the worst effects of the eruption hit. They died due to fulminant shock, when temperatures rose to 500°C (932°F).
Pompeii
Probably the most famous Roman attraction in the world, Pompeii attracts around 2.5 million visitors a year. Coming out of season is definitely a good idea if you don’t like crowds! The Pompeii site is huge. You can spend all day here if you so wish, although 2-3 hours gives a good experience.
The Terme Suburbane is located outside the city walls. It is most famous for its erotic frescoes that upset the Vatican in 2001 when they were revealed. Much of the baths survived and the frigidarium (cold-water bath) even retained its roof.
The Tempio di Apollo is perhaps the most important ruin in Pompeii. The remains date from the 2nd century BC, although the there was a temple on the site from at least the 6th century BC. Not much remains but it gives an idea of the importance of Apollo to the Romans.
Time to get booking!
If you’re planning on heading out to Italy for Easter, make sure you check the latest prices for car hire in Rome You could easily spread this road trip over at least a week, maybe even taking a detour along this coastline. Collecting your car at Rome Fiumicino Airport and dropping it off at Naples Airport is easy to arrange. You will probably have to pay a local fee upon collection for this, which varies depending on the car rental provider that you choose.
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