Rome: Pilgrims as Jubilee Tourists, 1870–1939

This chapter examines the transformation of pilgrimages to Rome from the late nineteenth century to the early twentieth century, focusing on their evolution from spiritual journeys to mass religious tourism. The chapter highlights how Rome’s status as a pilgrimage destination was shaped by the Jubilee celebrations, infrastructural developments, and the political shifts that followed Italian unification. It discusses the role of modern transportation, particularly railways, in facilitating the movement of large groups of pilgrims, and explores how the Church and secular institutions organized these journeys. The chapter also analyses how the concept of pilgrimage blended religious devotion with elements of tourism, offering insights into the socio-cultural dynamics of the period. By drawing on a great wealth of published period sources, the chapter demonstrates how the Jubilee events became both a religious and a socio-economic phenomenon, reflecting broader changes in society and religious practice.