On 3 April, Good Friday, according to Catholic and Italian tradition, the Pope leads the Way of the Cross inside the Colosseum.
For this reason, the Colosseum will only be open for a few hours that day to allow for preparations.

The Colosseum will be open from 8.30 am to 1.00 pm, with last admission at 12.00 pm and visitors required to leave by 1.00 pm. Only the standard tour route (Levels I and II) will be accessible.

The Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill will be open from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm, with last entry at 12.00 pm and visitors required to leave by 1.00 pm.
Only the archaeological area will be accessible, excluding the Super Sites.

For the Domus Aurea, the first guided tour will start at 9.30 am; the last self-guided tour will start at 12.00 pm, with visitors required to leave by 1.00 pm.

Any ticket purchased online should be treated as a scam.

From Tuesday 24 March to Saturday 4 April 2026, access to the monuments directly overlooking the Colosseum square will be subject to some changes to allow for the work required for the re-enactment of the Way of the Cross, which will take place on the evening of Friday 3 April.

The following sites and monuments will be temporarily closed:

• the Temple of Venus and Roma from Tuesday 24 March to Saturday 4 April 2026
• the Baths of Elagabalus from Tuesday 24 March to Saturday 4 April 2026

The cella of Roma in the Temple of Venus and Roma, facing the Capitoline Hill, will remain open until further notice.
Access will be via the Museum of the Roman Forum, located within the Santa Maria Nova complex.

The Way of the Cross will be broadcast worldwide on Rai Uno from 9.00 pm on 3 April.