Roma - Sancta Sanctorum

The "Scala Santa" (Holy Stairs), a set of 28 steps, brought to Rome about 326 by St. Helena, and - following the tradition - the steps of Pontius Pilate on which Jesus stepped on his way to trial, lead to the "Sancta Sanctorum" (Holy of Holies), once the personal chapel of the Popes, who resided here. It is the only part of the old Lateran palace that was not destroyed.

This chapel housed an immense collection of relics. Seen on the altar is an "acheiropoieton", an image "made without hands". The legend is, that the icon, called "Uronica", was begun by St Luke and finished by angels.

www.scala-santa.it/