Rome during Lent?
 

Has anyone been in Rome or Florence during Lent? I figure I should avoid Ash Wednesday in Rome, but would the crowds dissipate immediately after--or would we encounter unusual closing hours?? I've searched Italy + Lent on this forum and not found anything helpful. Any thoughts?

The beginning of Lent would be a bit of a crowd problem, though really not too great. Holy week, and shortly before, will bring large groups or pilgrims to town. I've never noticed anything special in the middle of Lent. <BR> <BR>Ed