Our group did quite a walk to be able to reach this place, and it was packed. Some of us were able to make the climb up on their knees, as did others. This is the same set of stairs brought by St Helena from Jerusalem and it was believed that Jesus climbed the stairs when he was sentenced by Pilate.

Scala Santa is an important religious attraction at Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano and just across from the Archbasilica. This is a 16th-century building which houses the famous Holy Staircases as well as the impressive Chapel of St. Lorenzo. Opening hours are 6am to 2pm (morning) and 3pm to 6.30pm (afternoon) daily. It is free to experience the Holy Staircase while ticket purchase is required to enter and view the upstairs Chapel of St. Lorenzo (€3.50) The Holy Steps are 28 marble steps that were believed to be those at the house of Pontus Pilate where Jesus was brought for trial which led to his crucifixion. They were brought to Rome in the 4th century by St. Helena and have been a site of holy pilgrimage for many centuries now whereby believers walk up the steps on their knees saying prayers upon each step. Note there are two additional staircases flanking the Holy Staircase that you use if you plan to walk on foot instead of your knees, leading to the upstairs Chapel of St. Lorenzo also referred to as Sancta Sanctorum. This was a private oratory for the Popes in centuries past. The chapel is small but filled with excellent wall and ceiling frescos.

Frescos are by Michelangelo, contains marbles of stairs climbed by Jesus, marble of stairs brought by the mother of Constantine from Jerusalem, the original staircase the one in middle and only climbed on knees. Top of the holy stairs - Sanita sanctorum used to be private oratory of popes in Middle Ages. It houses precious relics and an icon of Jesus that was started by saint Luke and finished by an angel. Photography is prohibited inside.

This church should be more known than it is now. There are stairs where Jesus climbed when he was brought to pilates for his trial. There is no admission to the church, and you have to climb the stairs on your knees, which is kind of painful. They close at 3pm and reopen again at 6:30.

This is supposedly the stairs that used to be in Pontius Pilate's place and Jesus supposedly walked on. There are three stairways and the one in the middle is the holy one. One can climb the stairs only on the knees. The stairs have wooden covering, but climbing all the way up on the knees is not an easy act. One can use the side stairways to walk up to bypass the holy stairs. On the upper level, there are several chapels, including the most holy one, Sancta Sanctorum. Photography is not allowed inside Sancta Sanctorum.