“Chi va piano va sano e va lontano.”
He who goes slowly goes safely and goes far.
Welcome to the Sunday, May 24 edition of Rome Observer. Today is Pentecost Sunday, one of the most solemn feasts of the Christian calendar — and Rome celebrates it with unmatched splendour. Firefighters will release tens of thousands of red rose petals through the oculus of the Pantheon at midday, a breathtaking tradition symbolising the descent of the Holy Spirit. Thousands of pilgrims will take to the streets for the ancient Pilgrimage of the Seven Churches, while Pope Francis presides over Mass at St. Peter's. Meanwhile, the final day of Open House Roma offers one last chance to explore hidden palazzos and secret gardens across the city. With temperatures reaching a warm 28°C under a brilliant Roman sky, it's a day to step outside and join the celebration.
Rome celebrates Pentecost Sunday with one of its most evocative annual traditions: the rain of rose petals at the Pantheon. At midday, firefighters will climb to the top of the 2,000-year-old dome and release tens of thousands of red rose petals through the oculus, filling the ancient temple with a cascade of crimson and the scent of roses. The ceremony follows the 10:30 Pentecost Mass celebrated inside the basilica, accompanied by the Basilica Choir and the Band of the Fire Brigade of Rome.
Meanwhile, thousands of faithful have begun the 20-kilometre Pilgrimage of the Seven Churches (Visita alle Sette Chiese), a tradition established by St. Philip Neri in the 16th century, visiting St. Peter's, St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls, Santa Maria Maggiore, San Lorenzo Fuori le Mura, Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, and San Sebastiano Fuori le Mura. Pope Francis will lead the Pentecost Mass in St. Peter's Square at 10:30, followed by the Urbi et Orbi blessing at midday. The Roseto Comunale on the Aventine Hill continues its spectacular spring bloom with over 1,100 varieties of roses — a floral tribute that perfectly mirrors the Pentecost rose petal tradition.
The legendary Orient Express name returns to one of its most evocative routes this autumn, with the inaugural departure of La Dolce Vita Orient Express linking Rome with Istanbul scheduled for October 2026. The luxury train, revived by French hospitality group Accor in partnership with Italian operators, will retrace the historic transcontinental route through Italy, the Balkans, and Turkey.
Each of the train's 12 deluxe cabins and three grand suites is designed by Italian architect Michele Bonan, drawing on 1960s Italian glamour with Murano glass lighting, marble bathrooms, and handcrafted wood panelling. The journey from Rome's Termini station to Istanbul's Sirkeci station takes approximately 36 hours, with stops in Bologna, Venice, Trieste, and across the Balkans into Turkey. A full Italian fine-dining experience is curated by three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck. Prices start at €9,500 per person for the inaugural journey, including all meals, wines, and excursions. The service marks a new chapter in luxury rail travel connecting the ancient capitals of the Roman and Byzantine empires.
Rome's historic Teatro Valle, one of the city's oldest working theatres, will reopen on 16 October following a prolonged restoration that has preserved its 18th-century architectural splendour while upgrading its technical infrastructure. Built in 1727 for the Capranica family, the Teatro Valle has hosted countless premieres over three centuries, including the Roman debut of Rossini's 'Il barbiere di Siviglia' in 1816. More recently, it was the site of a notorious 1921 audience riot during the premiere of Pirandello's 'Six Characters in Search of an Author' — the very play that will relaunch the theatre in October, directed by a yet-to-be-announced director.
The €4.5 million restoration, funded by the Ministry of Culture, has restored the theatre's original gilded stucco, frescoed ceilings by Bernardino Nocchi, and the horseshoe-shaped auditorium with four tiers of boxes. New state-of-the-art lighting, acoustics, and stage machinery have been installed behind the historic proscenium. The reopening marks a significant milestone for Rome's cultural scene, adding a major venue to the city's theatrical calendar as it approaches its tercentenary in 2027.