Hi All,
I plan to visit the historical site ie. Colosseum, Forum Romano etc on the 24th along with some major churches, St. Maria Maggiore and St. John Lateran
Since it's Christmas Eve, would the major churches only open for half days preparing for the Mass?
Should I visit the churches first early morning then the historical sites? How is the queueing for historical sites during Christmas period if I came later in the afternoon?
TIA
I'm afraid I can't help you much with the itinerary but the following story might help vis-à-vis visiting churches.
A co-worker was fortunate enough to get tickets (if that's the right word) for the Christmas Eve mass at St. Peter's. Needless to say the crowds were huge and everybody was crowded in; waiting for the doors to open. When they did open my co-worker noticed that a group of nuns were not queuing up with the herd heading toward the main doors but, rather, headed off to a side door. Long story short, my co-worker and his friends ended up in a prime location for the mass. So, when in doubt follow the nuns!
Seriously, with the looming holiday, you might just be able to enjoy the sights without the pressing crowds that are there during the summer.
I can tell you that St. Peter's closes early the day of a service, probably by Noon, if it opens at all. It should be posted on their website at least a few days in advance. For that matter, keep an eye on the websites for each church, but be prepared to be surprised as things always change....
I doubt you'll have much trouble with queues for the Forum, and Palatine Hill, but the Colosseo is always busy. Skip the line tickets are essential! You can buy them at Coop Culture.it. Remember sundown is early so the last entrance to the Colosseo is at 15:30. You'll need 3-4 hours to see the Colosseo, Foro Romano, and Palatino.
Jen, crowds in Rome are going to be heavy during the Christmas holiday (remember; it's a Jubilee Year) so I would pre-purchase your ticket for Colosseum/Forum/Palatine. You may also be able to get it at the Palatine or Forum ticket kiosks where lines are usually shorter.
http://www.coopculture.it/en/heritages.cfm?id=3&id_c=58091
As noted on one of your other posts, S.M. Maggiore has a heavy morning mass schedule as does St. John's:
I'm not seeing anything for afternoon closures on the 24th at either but as Laurel said, I wouldn't rule out a surprise.
Hi All,
Thanks so much for the info
So I guess it's better to arrange the churches later in the afternoon at the moment. I'd try to email the churches and see if they do close after the Masses on the 24th *fingercross
I'd attend St Peter's on 23rd Dec as advised in my other post and if I get lucky with the Papal Mass *another fingercross , I'd re-visit on 24th evening.
This Jubilee Years comes as excitement but also adds to our confusion as we just know it now. We prepare for a lesser winter tourists but ohh well it's a Jubilee Year :D
also, thanks so much for the tickets info. i was just about to ask whether it's worth it or not to buy Vatican Museums ticket online but now I know the answer...very worth it
noted , would buy those historical sites online too
Hi Sean,
thanks for the tips. i'd try to look for side entrance before queuing and see if there're nuns hanging out on that entrance :D
i just received email from a Reverend in regard to my Papal Mass Request. They are posting me the confirmation letter (before I asked them to fax but somehow the faxes couldn't come through, I didn't dare to ask him to just email it to me though :D). My other worry is I'd arrive on the 23rd. Yup just a day before the Mass so I'd still need to exchange those letters with the entrance tickets..and yeah it's the Jubilee Year ..toast to that :D
