Basilicas of Rome – Photographing Rome during Jubilee 2025

The history of Rome is inextricably intertwined with the history of Christianity, and in our modern times, is undoubtedly identifiable as a hub of Catholicism. With this fact, it is acknowledgeable that the Jubilee year in Rome presents the photographing of popular Catholic monuments with a range of obstacles. An increased number of tourists to the city, as well as the interruption from restoration projects in anticipation of the Holy Year, leads to popular Roman subjects of photography being interrupted. 

Though for religious pilgrims the main Catholic sites to visit include seven main sites; Saint John Lateran, St. Peter’s Basilica, Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Divine Love, Rome is home to numerous other important historical sites of Christianity. A few of these sites also present possibilities for striking photographs. 

One of these spots is Santa Sabina all’Aventino. This early Christian basilica, located on the Aventine Hill is historically rich and visually striking. The basilica itself was founded between 422-432, solidifying itself as one of the earliest Christian churches. Though the interior is relatively simple, the basilica contains tall columns alongside the two interior sides of the space pulled from ancient Pagan structures. Representative of the shift in the Roman Empire from Paganism to Christianity, Santa Sabina contains aspects of both religious traditions. One particularly unique aspect of this basilica is it’s posterior wooden door engraved with some of the earliest Christian depictions of biblical stories. 

While this church is a stunning facet of the Aventine Hill, the orange garden surrounding the church containing an almost entirely panoramic view of the city is noteworthy as well. This orange grove itself is photogenic but the lookout over the Tiber and busy Roman streets below is a great opportunity to photograph the city. 

-Samantha Wolfe