Scala Santa

The Scala Santa — the Holy Stairs — is venerated as the staircase Christ climbed to face Pontius Pilate, brought to Rome by St. Helena and today ascended only on the knees. Its marble steps have been covered in walnut since the 1720s to protect them from wear, and St. Philip Neri included the Scala Santa in his Seven Churches pilgrimage circuit.

Highlights

The 28 marble steps themselves, the object of the pilgrimage
The Sancta Sanctorum, the popes’ private medieval chapel at the top of the stairs
The Acheropita, an icon of Christ said to be ‘made without hands’
Fresco cycles by a team led by Cesare Nebbia and Giovanni Guerra
Extraterritorial Holy See property under the 1929 Lateran Treaty

Mass Times

Weekdays (Mon–Sat): 6:30 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 5:30 p.m.

Sundays/Holy Days: 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 5:30 p.m.

Opening Hours

Scala Santa/church weekdays: 6:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m., 3:00–6:30 p.m. (7:00 p.m. in summer per one source)

Sundays/Solemnities: 7:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m., then weekday afternoon hours

Sancta Sanctorum (guided tours only): Weekdays 9:30 a.m.–12:40 p.m., 3:00–5:10 p.m.; closed Sundays/Solemnities; admission €3.50

Address

Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano, 14, 00184 Roma

Scala Santa

Highlights

Mass Times

Opening Hours

Address

Official Website