A short walk from Termini station, in Via Marsala, there is a basilica that Don Bosco had built with the last of his strength: the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Castro Pretorio. It is the ideal starting point for discovering the Rome of basilicas and neighbourhoods, on foot or by metro, for those who travel in the Salesian spirit.
Why visit Rome from the Termini area
The Castro Pretorio area, between Termini and San Lorenzo, is one of the best-connected parts of the city: both metro lines start here, as do buses to the whole centre and trains to the airport and the Castelli Romani. In a few minutes you reach the papal basilicas and the most important places of Christian Rome.
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Don Bosco’s church
Pope Leo XIII asked Don Bosco to complete this basilica, which had run out of funds. The saint accepted, collected donations all over Europe and saw it consecrated in 1887, a few months before he died. Next door you can visit the rooms of Don Bosco, where he stayed during his visits to Rome.
Santa Maria Maggiore
Ten minutes away on foot, Santa Maria Maggiore is the oldest Marian basilica in the West, with fifth-century mosaics and a gilded coffered ceiling, which according to tradition was made with the first gold brought from the Americas.
St John Lateran and the Holy Stairs
One metro stop or a walk takes you to St John Lateran, the cathedral of Rome and “mother of all churches”. Opposite stands the shrine of the Holy Stairs, which pilgrims climb on their knees.
St Peter’s and the Vatican Museums
Metro line A takes you to the Vatican area in about twenty minutes: St Peter’s Basilica, Michelangelo’s dome and the Vatican Museums with the Sistine Chapel.
St Paul Outside the Walls
The fourth papal basilica can be reached on line B: it houses the tomb of the Apostle Paul and the series of portraits of all the popes.
The surroundings
- The catacombs on the Appian Way: St Callixtus, entrusted to the Salesians, and St Sebastian, among the first Christian cemeteries.
- Tivoli: Villa d’Este with its fountains and Hadrian’s Villa, less than an hour away.
- The Castelli Romani: Castel Gandolfo, Frascati, Ariccia and the volcanic lakes, by train from Termini.
- Ostia Antica: the port of ancient Rome, with its streets, theatre and baths.
| From Via Marghera to… | How | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|
| Basilica of the Sacred Heart | On foot | 5 minutes |
| Santa Maria Maggiore | On foot | 10–15 minutes |
| St John Lateran | Metro A | 15 minutes |
| St Peter’s | Metro A | 20–25 minutes |
| Catacombs of St Callixtus | Bus | 40 minutes |
When to go
Spring and autumn are the best seasons for walking among basilicas and ruins. July and August are hot: it is best to visit churches in the middle of the day, when it is cool inside, and keep the evening for walks. At Christmas and Easter the city fills with pilgrims: book well in advance.
Where to stay
The “Maria Ausiliatrice” guest house, at Via Marghera 59, is run by the Institute of Mary Help of Christians of the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco, outside normal commercial channels. It has 20 rooms with air conditioning and Wi-Fi, and welcomes religious, families, parish groups and individuals who share a path of faith. It is the ideal base for a pilgrimage to Rome, with Don Bosco’s church just round the corner.
