The Tour of the seven churches is a traditional and official expression Pèlerinage of Rome, instituted by Saint Philippe Néri the February 25th 1552. This turn includes the four major basilicas of Rome like three important minor basilicas:
- the Basilica Saint-Pierre, with the the Vatican, tomb of holy Pierre;
- the Basilica Saint-Paul-out-the-walls, on the Ostienne way, tomb of holy Paul;
- the Basilica Midsummer's Day of Lateran, cathedral of Rome and the world;
- the Holy-Marie-Major Basilica, with the relic of the Crib;
- the Basilica Holy-Cross of Jerusalem, which keeps the relics of Passion;
- the St. Lawrence Basilica out the walls, falls from saints Etienne and Laurent;
- the Saint-Sebastien Basilica of the Catacombs, on the Way Appienne, above the Catacombs.
The number 7 takes obviously a value symbolic system: there evokes the number of the hills of Rome, the seven wonders of the world, etc It is however no direct reference to the “seven Churches” of the book of the Apocalypse.
The course measures in all 25 km, because it connects sanctuaries for the majority offset compared to the ancient center (Forum) or medieval (Champ de Mars) of the city. Indeed, basilicas built on tombs of Apostle S (Pierre, Paul) or of Martyr S (Sebastien, Laurent) by this fact were located out of the walls of Rome. Lateran (Midsummer's Day) and Sessorium (Holy-Cross) were old imperial fields concerning with the wall of Aurélien. As for Holy-Marie-Major, on the Esquilin, its site was indicated by a miracle: a snowfall in full August.
In procession or separately, number of romées will follow the way traced by saint Philippe Néri. In 1575, the Pèlerinage with the seven churches will become the standard to obtain the plenary Indulgence Jubilé. Its course will be consequently accomplished throughout the year and either only fatty Thursday like hitherto, like pre-Lent.
The requirements will decrease at the time of the posterior jubilees with 1575. In the year 2000, the bubble of proclamation of the jubilee still mentions these same seven Roman churches, at the sides of the sanctuaries of Holy Land, as places which the visit allows obtaining the plenary indulgence.
Course
The course can be accomplished in one day, with foot, as of 7 hours of the morning with Saint-Pierre (opening) and while arriving at the latest before 7 p.m. at Holy-Marie-Major (closing). The major basilicas are open without interruption during the day. It is obviously easy also “to shorten” the way by using public transport!
Of Saint-Pierre with Saint-Paul
Piazza S. Pietro - Borgo S. Spirito - Via dei Penitenzieri which becomes Via Porta S. Spirito then Via della Lungara then Via della Scala - Co.-Marie-with-Transtévère - Via della Lungaretta (crossing it Via di Trastevere) - Piazza in Piscinula - island Tibérine - Lungotevere Pierleoni - Piazza Bocca della Verità - Clivo dei Publicii - Via di S. Prisca - Piazza Albania - Via della Piramide di Cestio - Carried S. Paolo - Via Ostiense
Of Saint-Paul with Saint-Sebastien
Via delle Sette Chiese (sometimes in zigzag, crossing the Largo delle Sette Chiese then it Via Cristoforo Colombo) - Catacombs (F. between 12:00 and 14:30 and in alternation, certain days of the week) co.-Domitille, S. - Sebastien and S. - Calliste.
Of Saint-Sebastien to Lateran
Catacombs S. - Calliste - Quo Vadis - Via Appia Antica - Carried S. Sebastiano - Via di Porta S. Sebastiano - Piazzale Numa Pompilio - Via Druso - Via della Navicella - Park of the Celimontana Villa - Via S. Stefano Rotondo.
Of Lateran with Holy-Cross
Piazza di Porta S. Giovanni - Viale Carlo Felice.
Holy-Cross in the St. Lawrence
Piazzale di Porta Maggiore - Carried Prenestina (then passage under the railroad) - Viale Scalo S. Lorenzo - Via del Verano or dei Reti - Piazzale del Verano/Piazza S. Lorenzo.
From the St. Lawrence to Holy-Marie-Major
Via Tiburtina - passage under the railroad - church co.-Bibiane - Via Giovanni Giolitti - Via Lamarmora - Piazza Vittorio Emmanuele II - Via Carlo Alberto.
See too
Internal bond
- List of catholic basilicas
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