Scala Sancta

Tours

The Lateran complex consists of several high interest sites: the Basilica, the Cloister and the Treasure Museum, the Baptistery and the Holy Stairs, which contain the casket of the Chapel of the Sancta Sanctorum. This special ticket allows you to easily access the complex and visit all the points of interest in around 2 hours with a multilingual audio-guide system. You will begin your visit by visiting the basilica with the cloister and the Treasure Museum, before then proceeding outside the church to the baptistery which is located in the square behind. During the second half of your tour, you will visit the building of the Holy Stairs, which is located on the right of the basilica, and admire the Chapel of the Sancta Sanctorum. If you only have one hour, you can visit the basilica and its cloister first, followed by the Holy Stairs and Sancta Sanctorum.

Our flagship Via Crucis Pilgrim Tour of Rome focuses on some of the most important artefacts in Christendom, including parts of the One True Cross upon which He was crucified; Holy Nails from the Cross; Thorns from the Crown of Thorns, the Title of the Cross placed above His head and the pillar upon which He was flogged. To take the Via Crucis—the Way of the Cross—is to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and on this essential walking tour of Rome for pilgrims you’ll see first-hand some of the relics from the final days and hours of His life, leading up to His condemnation and eventual execution at the hands of the occupying Roman forces in Jerusalem. Our tour begins at the Papal Basilica of St Mary Major, one of Rome’s four Major Basilicas and sites of the Holy Doors that will open in 2025. Here we’ll be able to see and venerate original wood from the Crib of the Nativity and, in the very same breathtaking basilica, stand just a few feet away from the original icon by St Luke the Evangelist, Salus Popoli Romani. Moving on, we’ll visit some of Rome’s truly hidden treasures and settings of the defining events in the history of the Christian Church, founded by St Peter in the heart of a vicious and hostile pagan world. You’ll have the opportunity to learn first-hand about the struggles of those early persecuted followers and their irrepressible faith. We’ll see stunning mosaics filled with symbolism, countless papal tombs, and the most famous icon in the world, Our Lady of Perpetual Help (also known as Our Lady of Perpetual Succour or Our Lady of the Passion). The very steps that Jesus ascended to the praetorium of the Roman procurator Pontius Pilate, whereupon He was condemned to death, are also here in Rome and are a central part of the Via Crucis Pilgrim Tour. Since Our Lord climbed those steps in condemnation, it is common tradition today to climb the same steps on one’s knees, though doing so takes around 45 minutes and therefore is not part of our itinerary. Anyone wishing to partake in this particular tradition should arrange to do so separately. The Church of the Holy Stairs is also the location of the Holy of Holies inner sanctum, accessed traditionally by nobody but the Pope, and the home of yet another icon, said to have been begun by St Luke and completed by angels. Our penultimate stop will be the oldest and most important of Rome’s four Major Basilicas, that of St John Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome and Mother Church of the World. Here are kept the skulls of Saints Peter and Paul, the Pillars of the Church, as well as the Holy Sponge which doused Him while He hung from the Cross. Our Via Crucis Pilgrim Tour finally concludes at the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, where our devout and learned guide will leave you with a homily. On the edge of the ancient Aurelian Wall that encompasses Rome’s historical city centre, Santa Croce is roughly a 10-minute walk from the nearest metro station.

Pilgrims to Rome are drawn to a myriad of things, but none quite so significant as the Holy Steps and the Major Papal Arch-Basilica of St John Lateran, known in Italian as San Giovanni. Join us for a pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Rome, the Holy of Holies and the Scala Sancta, where your devout Catholic scholar and tour guide will bring to life the true history of the Catholic Church. The original steps from the Praetorium of the Roman Province of Judea, which Jesus ascended to be tried and eventually condemned by Pontius Pilate, were brought to Rome by St Helena in the 4th Century along with many other relics from Christ’s Passion.  Because Christ climbed these steps in condemnation, Catholic tradition holds that pilgrims climb them on their knees in meditation to be granted a Plenary Indulgence (in accord with the normal conditions).  Unfortunately this practice takes around 45 minutes and is therefore not part of our tour, but pilgrims can arrange to partake in the tradition in their own time free of charge. We will however visit the Holy Steps and begin our tour at the eponymous Church of the Scala Sancta, which is also home to the Sanctorium Sancta—known in English as the Holy of Holies—the tiny chapel into which only His Holiness the Pope was previously allowed to enter.  There we’ll climb the ordinary stairs and peek into the chapel, where we can catch a glimpse of the miraculous acheiropoieta of Christ, said to have been begun by St Luke the Evangelist and finished by angels. The same chapel is also home to wood from the table of the Last Supper. We continue our tour with a short trip across the road to the highest ranking church in Christendom, the Arch-Basilica of St John Lateran, where we’ll have the opportunity to venerate the skulls of Saints Peter and Paul, the Pillars of the Church. A UNESCO World Heritage site, San Giovanni is an awesome spectacle of a basilica and an architectural wonder, with its own unique history, works of priceless art and mosaics filled with symbolism. Closely caught up with the legalisation of Christianity within the Roman Empire, this Cathedral has a fascinating history with lots of ups and downs. It is also the site of one of the four Holy Doors that will open in 2025 for pilgrims to Rome. Our Basilica of St John Lateran & Holy Steps Rome Pilgrim Tour concludes admiring the facade of the building, where you’ll be just a few moments from public transport options, taxis and the ancient Aurelian city walls that encircle the Centro Storico, beyond which lies suburban Rome.

Your expert local city guide will show you the city's best parts, including many hidden secrets you can’t find easily on your own. On this walking tour will be able to see a lot of sightseeing points within a short timeframe. Apart from explaining the sightseeing points your guide can provide insight into the history and culture of the city and the country in general. The focus of this tour is to see the city like a local. However, this private tour can be customised according to your wishes. Sightseeing points to visit can be agreed upon in advance or discussed when meeting up. STANDARD sightseeing places we can easily visit during the tour are: - Trevi Fountain: Oldest fountain in Rome, made many appearances in movies and is mythically believed to be a magical fountain. - Spanish Steps: The longest and widest steps in Europe. - Trastevere: Old working-class neighbourhood with narrow alleyways. - Altar of the Fatherland: A large national monument to honor the first king of Italy. - Vatican City: Center of Christianity and an important archaeological site of the Roman world. - Vatican Museums: Known for its papal connotations, rich history and extensive collection of art worth billions of Euros. - St. Peter’s Basilica: One of the holiest sites of Christianity and Catholic tradition. One of the most beautiful churches in the world and home to important artwork such as those by Michelangelo. - Capitoline Museums: A group of art & archaeological museums capturing rich history and plans conceived by Michelangelo. - Circus Maximus: The oldest and largest stadium in Rome built for chariot races. - Colosseum: A large amphitheater that hosted events like gladiator games. It is over 1900 years old and considered to be one of the 7 wonders of the world. - Palatine Hill: Beautiful views of the city including Circus Maximus. - Roman Forum: Site where processions, elections, public speeches, criminal trials and gladiatorial marches took place. Some examples of HIDDEN SECRETS we can visit: - Doria Pamphilj Gallery: Art gallery that contains one of the best art collections in Rome. - Villa Torlonia: Transformed into a public park, it offers well-kept green spaces, architecture and museums. - Tiber Island: Also known as “sacred island” associated with medicine and healing in pagan cults and Christian religion. - Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano: Oldest public church in Rome. - Scala Sancta: stairs believed to be “holy stairs” leading to the holy city of Jerusalem - Villa Doria Pamphilj: The largest landscaped park in Rome. - Villa Medici: A superior villa that shows the connection between architecture, gardens and the environment. - MAXXI: Museum of contemporary art and architecture Please note that it is not guaranteed to visit all the sightseeing places listed here. How many places you can visit depends on the length of the tour booked and how much time you spend at each place. After booking you can discuss the detailed itinerary with your guide.

Enjoy a half-day walking tour of Christian Rome and discover underground treasures in some of the most sensational churches. Your guide will tell you fascinating facts along the way, leading you to the ancient Basilica of San Clemente, and the Cathedral of St. John in the Lateran Palace. Start at the Basilica of San Clemente, the only church in Rome to be built on 3 different levels. Constructed from the 1st to the 12th centuries, 2 underground floors can now be explored, including the Altar of Mithras from the 1st century. Continue to the church of the Santi Quattro Coronati, devoted to 4 anonymous saints and martyrs. In 2002, an extraordinary series of frescoes was uncovered depicting scenes from the Zodiac, Four Seasons, Liberal Arts, and King Solomon. Follow the story of the Emperor Constantine and Pope Sylvester in the Chapel of St. Sylvester, where it is said the famous Constitutum Constantini (Donation of Constantine) took place. End your tour at the Cathedral of Rome, also known as the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran. The oldest of the 4 Papal Basilicas, St. John Lateran boasts a splendid façade, but it’s the Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs) that will catch your eye.

Embark on a 3.5-hour private guided tour with a focus on the spirituality of Rome and some of the churches linked to the Passion of Jesus. Start out at the Basilica of Santa Prassede, where you’ll see a relic of the pillar of the flogging, a segment of the column upon which Jesus was flogged before his crucifixion. Mentioned in 3 of the canonical gospels, this relic was brought to Rome during the Middle Ages. Next is a visit to the amazing Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. This is the largest Marian Church in Rome and is home to a piece of wood said to come from the crib of Jesus. Move on to the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the first of the 4 papal basilicas to be built, and the Cathedral of Rome. See the Scala Sancta, or Holy Stairs. These are the steps leading up to Pilate's headquarter in Jerusalem, on which Jesus stepped before he was sentenced to death. To gain the plenary Indulgence, believers climb the steps on their knees. Nearby is the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem. It was built in the 4th century A.D. to preserve the relics brought to Rome by St. Helen, the mother of Constantine. Several relics are preserved in the Cappella delle Reliquie. See the panel that hung on Christ's cross, 2 thorns from his crown, and 3 pieces of his cross.

On this guided tour you will discover the beauty of 2 major Basilicas of Rome and the incredible Christian Catacombs. The Basilica of Saint Mary Major is the most important and best preserved of the Roman churches and it is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Saint John’s in Lateran, is considered the real Cathedral of Rome and it was first Papal residence. After a stop at the Holy Stairs, we proceed to the ancient Appian Way, the most important road of the Roman Empire, until we reach the Catacombs of Rome. You will explore this ancient underground labyrinth with an official Vatican guide, discovering the incredible history of these Christian cemeteries.