Holy Relics & Roman Christian Heritage Walking Tour｜Italy

Follow the traces of Christ’s Passion through some of Rome’s most important churches on a journey combining faith, history and sacred tradition.

Begin at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where you will discover the Holy Crib, traditionally believed to be the cradle in which the infant Jesus was laid, and reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation. Continue to the nearby Basilica of Santa Prassede, home to the pillar to which Christ was traditionally believed to have been leashed during the Flagellation and one of Rome’s finest early medieval mosaics.

The pilgrimage then leads to the Baptistery of St John Lateran, one of the oldest baptisteries in the world and an important site in the history of Christian Rome, before continuing towards the Scala Santa. According to Christian tradition, these are the steps that Jesus climbed during His trial before Pontius Pilate and which were later brought to Rome.

Visit the Basilica of St John Lateran, the cathedral of Rome and the oldest of the four major papal basilicas. Founded by Emperor Constantine in the fourth century and dedicated to Christ the Savior, the basilica has served as the official cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope, since antiquity. Inside, admire the monumental nave, the twelve statues of the Apostles and the high altar, with relics of Saints Peter and Paul. Discover the basilica’s sacred traditions, its role in the history of the papacy and the nearby Lateran Baptistery, one of the earliest Christian baptisteries in Rome.

The tour concludes at the Holy Steps and the Sancta Sanctorum, traditionally believed to be the steps Jesus climbed during His trial before Pontius Pilate. At the top of the staircase, visit the Sancta Sanctorum, the former private chapel of the popes and one of Rome’s most revered sacred sites.

Throughout the tour, your guide will explain the historical background of the churches and relics, the traditions surrounding them and their importance in Catholic spirituality. More than a sightseeing experience, this journey offers an opportunity to understand how the memory of Christ’s life and Passion has shaped Christian devotion in Rome for centuries.