Every Holy Thursday, a centuries-old and beautiful tradition can still be witnessed in Rome after sunset.
It is known as the Night of the Sepolcri, when Christians commemorate the night of the Last Supper. On that evening, Jesus asked his apostles to break bread and share it in his memory, establishing what would become the sacrament of the Eucharist.
On this night, many churches across Rome remain open late, often until 11 PM or midnight. The streets fill with people, as the tradition suggests visiting seven churches, or at least an odd number, over the course of the evening.
As you step inside these churches, you are immediately immersed in an evocative atmosphere. Most of the lights are turned off, leaving only the altar illuminated, where the Eucharist is kept.
In some churches, the Sepolcri are especially striking. One example is the Church of the Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini, near Campo de’ Fiori, where the space is almost completely dark and the altar is lit only by candles.
This tradition has been cherished for generations.
A few years ago, we decided to follow the preparation rituals, just as my grandmother had described them.
It was something she always looked forward to as a child, and experiencing it ourselves made us feel part of a long, living history.
In this video you can see how we got ready for it and what the experience was like.
Want to discover more of Rome at night?
Take a look at our small-group night tours. On these tours you explore Rome’s iconic sights and lots of unexpected wonders you might miss otherwise, all seen and felt in a different light.
Our tours are not packed, not rushed, and not stuck in tourist spots, because this is how we’d show Rome to a close friend. You can learn more about how our Rome tours work, the best Rome tours or browse all our small-group walking tours to see the experiences currently available.
