The Story:

The Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem (in Italian, “Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme”) is the one of the four Minor Basilica in the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome. The stunning Baroque façade is not to be missed. Inside you will find equally beautiful frescoes detailing the passion of Christ and stations of the cross. Importantly, the name of this Basilica is, “Holy Cross in Jerusalem” not “Holy Cross of Jerusalem”. This is because Empress St. Helena, the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine I, brought relics of the Passion of Christ and soil from Jerusalem to the Church, symbolically building the church’s foundation on Jerusalem. The Basilica was consecrated in 325, in 1930 the Cappella della Reliquie was built to house theses relics: part of the panel that hung on Jesus’ cross, two thorns from His Crown of Thorns, a nail used in the crucifixion of Christ, pieces of the True Cross, and the index finger of St. Thomas.

Hours: Between 7 am – 12:45 pm or 3:30 – 7:30pm
Address: Piazza di S. Croce in Gerusalemme, 00185 Roma RM, Italy
Phone: +39 06 7061 3053