View across the Tiber to St Peter's Basilica

Without crossing the road

New access to St Peter's Square opened

Rom - All roads lead to Rome. And in Rome, many lead to the Vatican - especially for Catholic pilgrims. Just in time for the Easter season, a special access route has now been opened that also leads past a special building.

Published on 06.04.2025 at 10:00 –

Rail travellers can now reach the Vatican without conflicting with car traffic. In Rome, a path for pedestrians was opened on Saturday at San Pietro station that leads to St Peter's Square without crossing the road.

The "Passeggiata del Gelsomino " (Jasmine Crossing) begins at the Italian Vatican railway station and leads over an old railway bridge with a spectacular view of St Peter's Basilica directly to the Vatican walls. You then walk along them to St Peter's Square. The cost of the remodelling, which also involved planting more than a thousand greenery, amounted to 2.6 million euros, according to the city administration.

New path almost one kilometre long

The entire route, which has been extended for pedestrians and wheelchair users, is just under one kilometre long. At one point, it leads past the back of the Santa Marta guest house, where Pope Francis lives , separated from the Vatican wall.

On the Italian side, a number of car parking spaces have been replaced by new green areas, benches and bicycle stands. At the opening on Saturday, Rome's mayor Roberto Gualtieri praised the flyover as a successful example of cooperation between the Vatican State, the Italian Republic and the city of Rome. (KNA)