According to the Christian tradition the Scala Sancta (translated as Holy Steps), led up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem, which Jesus Christ stood on during his Passion on his way to trial. Historians relay that the Holy Steps were brought from Jerusalem to Rome in 326 by Helena, the mother of Constantine the first Christian Emperor. It consists of twenty-eight white marble steps in which devotees say a prayer on their knees on every step to the top. For centuries, pilgrims have climbed these stairs on their knees and continue to today. In the Catholic church, plenary indulgence can be granted for climbing the stairs. When we were there, multiple people were praying on their knees and it was incredible to see their endless devotion.
Since these sacred steps are not meant to be walked on, my class took the separate set of stairs parallel to the 'Scala Sancta' to reach the top. At the top of the Scala Sancta is the Sancta Sanctorum(Holy of the Holies). This is the private chapel of the popes and one of the only monuments around that escaped Sixtus V's reconstruction. Some of the best early Christian relics were kept in the crypt under the altar at one time, including the heads of Saint Peter, Paul and Agnes. Most of them have now been distributed to other churches around the city. However, the most important relics are the 13th century frescoes. The fresco on the ceiling depicts four figures symbolizing the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. A lion representing Mark, an ox as Luke, an angel as Matthew and an eagle as John. It used to be that no one but the pontifex maximus himself was allowed to ever set foot in the Sancta Sanctorum but today a limited amount of people are with reservation made far in advance.
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