In the historic city and capital of the Roma province of the Lazio region, and of the country of Italy

 Renovations have left Rome in chaos. Now 35 million visitors are about to descend.

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(in Rome, the historic city and capital of the Roma province of the Lazio region, and of the country of Italy). Rome is located in the central portion of the Italian peninsula, on the Tiber River about 15 miles (24 km) inland from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Once the capital of an ancient republic and empire whose armies and polity defined the Western world in antiquity and left seemingly indelible imprints thereafter, the spiritual and physical seat of the Roman Catholic Church, and the site of major pinnacles of artistic and intellectual achievement, Rome is the Eternal City, remaining today a political capital, a religious center, and a memorial to the creative imagination of the past.

+ Rome is worth a visit at least once, with its beautiful architecture and monuments, great works of art, small-town charm, slow pace of life, and world-renowned food, albeit seeing everything it has to offer would take a lifetime. The Grand Romantic ruins, opulent monuments, graceful fountains, and ornate statues are all testaments to its wealth and beauty.

+ Anyone visiting Rome in 2024 could be forgiven for being disappointed. While the city has no shortage of ancient treasures to explore, many of them have been buried under scaffolding amid extensive renovations.The city’s historic center has resembled a building site, with construction crews working round the clock on hundreds of infrastructure and restoration projects. The good news is that, when it’s all over, the Eternal City will hopefully emerge more beautiful than ever, served by a newly revamped metro system that will whisk tourists to some of the star attractions. The bad news is, just weeks away from a yearlong Roman Catholic celebration expected to bring up to 35 million to the city, much of the restoration work is yet to be finished.

+ The jubilee celebration is a regular Catholic Church event, instituted by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300 and held every 25 years since 1470. It pulls huge numbers of pilgrims to Rome and the Vatican seeking forgiveness. During celebrations, the “holy doors” of Rome’s major basilica churches, normally cemented shut, are opened. Visitors who pass through the doors and carry out spiritual acts will receive plenary indulgences -- forgiveness for their sins.

+ The ancient Ponte Sant'Angelo stone bridge is among many Rome landmarks being restored ahead of the 2025 jubilee. The forthcoming jubilee will begin on Christmas Eve (December 24th) when Pope Francis opens the holy door in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City. It will run until January 6th, 2026.) In that time Rome, already one of Europe’s most visited cities, is forecast to be inundated with record numbers of visitors at a time when many destinations in Italy are buckling under the strain of overtourism. For Italy’s capital, the jubilee has been seen as an opportunity to upgrade the city’s tourist attractions and facilities.