The Vatican unveiled The Holy Stairs for the first time in 300 years

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Visitors to Rome can climb the original stairs that Jesus is said to have walked on while on his way up to be judged by Pontius Pilate before his crucifixion. The Holy Stairs had a special opening, in Rome, Thursday, April 11, 2019. The Holy Stairs can be ascended by pilgrims on their knees, until 9 June, the feast of Pentecost.

The Holy Stairs which is known as Scala Sancta in Latin had been covered with wooden planks for 300 years. For two months, their original marble is exposed following an extensive restoration project. Drops of Jesus’ blood that are said to have fallen on the steps are marked by medieval crosses in three places on the stairs.

As per The Gospel of John, Jesus went up these stairs several times. At the top of the stairs is a room called the Holy of Holies. It was once a private chapel of Popes and it contains relics of the saints and one of the oldest icons of Jesus found in Rome, dating to the 5th century.

For the next few weeks visitors to Rome can literally walk, or at least kneel, on what are believed to be the original footsteps of Jesus. The stairs will again be covered with wood to protect the marble.

The Scala Sancta is believed to have been stained with drops of Jesus’s blood as he was crucified.

Visitors will be able to see the marble staircase without any covering, and they will witness the newly restored frescoes on the walls and ceilings.

The steps were first opened to the public by Pope Sixtus V in the late 1580s. Since 1723, the staircase has been covered by wooden planks after Pope Innocent XIII decided that the steps could no longer tolerate the wear of thousands of pilgrims’ visits.

The 28-step staircase is believed to have been brought to Rome by St. Helena from Pontius Pilate’s home in Jerusalem in the fourth century.

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