Our Convent Stay in Rome

View of the domes and belltower of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore

from the terrace of Suore di Santa Elisabetta

Rome in August is hot and crowded. This is even more so now since 2025 has been designated a Jubilee year by the Vatican which means the Eternal City will receive a deluge of tourists and pilgrims. By some estimates, between 30 to 35 million visitors will descend on Rome in 2025. Imagine trying to find a hotel at the last minute. We were lucky enough to secure a reservation at Santa Elisabetta on the same day we needed a room for a few days at a place where I had wanted to stay in the first place. Several days before it was fully booked when I was doing my search. But thankfully we got a room! Moral of the story: never give up.

This convent is well located, practically next door to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, one of five designated churches for the Jubilee Year 2025. It’s also a short walk from Termini Sation where we got off after our train ride from Terni.

Front Entrance of Suore di Santa Elisabetta

A slight uphill walk from Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore and you’ll find Santa Elisabetta. The façade has palazzo vibes and once inside you’ll find how large this property is. There is a chapel, a garden and a rooftop terrace with views of Rome. It’s a safe place to stay especially for solo female travelers. And families with young children will love the garden.

Ceiling of the Breakfast Room

Imagine having breakfast under this ceiling. I kept looking up to admire the intricate vines and wreaths that cover the ceiling while sipping my tea. Breakfast is included with the room rate.

Garden

After a long day of sightseeing, this garden with its whimsical statues of dwarfs and other favorite children’s book characters invites you to a well earned rest. Families with young children will surely enjoy this garden.

We didnt’t have to walk far to see Rome. Just had to go up to the rooftop terrace at the convent.

The crenellated tower of Torre dei Capocci from the 12th century dominates the neighborhood around the convent. It is 118 feet tall (36 meters) and one of about fifty medieval towers left standing in Rome today.

And here’s our view of the Colosseum. If you’re looking for simple lodging in a safe, convenient location at a reasonable rate, Suore di Santa Elisabetta is the place you’d want to consider. Just so you know, there’s an 11 p.m. curfew after which the double gates to the convent are locked.

Please check this link for more information about convent stays: https://www.travelswithcharie.com/2020/01/budget-friendly-lodging-options.html

To know what to expect when visiting the designated Holy Doors at three of the Basilicas, read about it here: https://www.travelswithcharie.com/2025/09/pilgrims-of-hope-jubilee-year-2025.html

How to get there:

Suore Santa Elisabetta, Via dell’Olmata 9, Rome

https://csse-roma.com/casa-per-ferie/

The convent is a few meters slightly uphill from Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore. It is a ten minute walk from Termini Station. There are many shops, restaurants and three grocery stores nearby.

Stay connected

*****

Images by TravelswithCharie

Brașov was once called Stalin City

White Tower Brașov is a city nestled in the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania. Remnants of its medieval fortifications and bastions are added attractions to this buzzing city. The White Tower along with the Black Tower are two of the remaining watchtowers still visible today. During the Communist period, Brașov was called Orasul Stalin or Stalin City after the Soviet leader, Joseph Stalin. Black Church This is such a storied Gothic church which was originally the Catholic Church of St. Mary before it was converted to a Lutheran Church. It was believed to have been affected by fire in 1689 which blackened its exterior walls and roof. But a new 21st century study reveals that this wasn’t the case at all. The only reason for its blackened state according to the study is environmental pollution caused by the industrialization of Brasov in the 19th century. The walls have since been cleaned but there are traces of black spots on the roof. Republicii Street This long pede...

The Gold of Ancestors: Pre-Colonial Philippine Treasures

Openwork basket, Surigao, 10th-13th century What a wonderful surprise this exhibition is! These gold objects, about a thousand of them, add a rich layer to Philippine history. This collection which was found in various sites in the Philippines, date back to the 10th-13th centuries. It demonstrates the well developed culture of pre colonial Philippines which the Spaniard, Antonio Pigafetta, recorded in 1521 when Ferdinand Magellan landed in the islands. A thriving interchange between the Philippines and its Asian neighbors existed prior to the arrival of Magellan as attested by some of these gold accouterments which show for example, images from Hindu mythology. The motifs and curvilinear ornamentation of the openwork basket (shown above) intimate Chinese designs found in their ceramics and textiles. Torso ornament, 10th-13th century Weighing four kilos of gold, this sash is worn across the chest similar to the upavita (sacred thread) style in Hindu culture. This sash w...

The Art of Carlos Botong Francisco - Progress of Medicine in the Philippines

Pre-colonial period Pag-unlad ng Panggagamot sa Pilipinas (The Progress of Medicine in the Philippines) is a group of four large-scale paintings depicting healing practices in the Philippines from pre-colonial times to the modern period. Carlos Botong Francisco was commissioned in 1953 by Dr. Agerico Sison who was then the director of Philippine General Hospital (PGH) together with Dr. Eduardo Quisumbing of the National Museum, Dr. Florentino Herrera, Jr. and Dr. Constantino Manahan. These oil on canvas paintings measure 2.92 meters in height and 2.76 meters in width (9.71 ft x 8.92 ft) and were displayed at the main entrance hall of PGH for over five decades. Owing to its location, the artworks were in a state of "severe deterioration" at the beginning of the 21st century from exposure to heat, humidity, dirt, dust, smoke, insect stains, grime, termites and an oxidized synthetic resin used in an earlier restoration. These canvases were restored three times, the last was...

TravelswithCharie

Search This Blog