Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
4.5
7:30 AM - 12:45 PM, 3:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Monday
7:30 AM - 12:45 PM
3:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Tuesday
7:30 AM - 12:45 PM
3:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Wednesday
7:30 AM - 12:45 PM
3:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Thursday
7:30 AM - 12:45 PM
3:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Friday
7:30 AM - 12:45 PM
3:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Saturday
7:30 AM - 12:45 PM
3:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Sunday
7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
About
The Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem (Latin: Basilica Sanctae Crucis in Hierusalem, Italian: Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme) is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and titular church in rione Esquilino, Rome, Italy. It is one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome. According to tradition, the Basilica was consecrated circa 325 to house the relics of the Passion of Jesus Christ brought to Rome from the Holy Land by St. Empress Helena, mother of Roman Emperor Constantine I. At that time, the Basilica's floor was covered with soil from Jerusalem, thus acquiring the title in Hierusalem; it is not dedicated to the Holy Cross which is in Jerusalem, but the Basilica itself is "in Jerusalem" in the sense that a "piece" of Jerusalem was moved to Rome for its foundation. *During celebrations, visits to the Chapel of Relics and to the Chapel of St. Helena are not allowed.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Esquilino
Old school vibe from the very beginning is the only way to describe the Esquilino neighbourhood. The Esquilino takes pride in being one of the oldest areas in Rome for its key location on one of the city’s famous seven hills. From an ancient neighbourhood to its modern incarnation as a multicultural hub, Esquilino always has something going on—polyglot vendors debate street artists while kids play pick-up basketball games. Look around you: this area isn’t like the historic centre. Liberty architecture, large piazzas, and long boulevards mix with archaic arches, secret side alleys, and beautiful churches like Santa Maria Maggiore.
How to get there
- Lodi • 6 min walk
- San Giovanni • 8 min walk
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4.5
374 reviews
Excellent
251
Very good
107
Average
13
Poor
1
Terrible
2
christineking1962
Portsmouth, UK1 contribution
Nov 2010
This most beautiful church was breathtaking. Inside the architecture was outstanding. I found this the most peaceful place to sit and reflect, but the thing that stood out the most to me and spoke aloud was the huge crucifix that was place inside on the left hand side, It made me feel the most urgent need to pray for forgiveness on my knees, and actually brought me to tears for the heart felt pain of Jesus.
You must really visit this place and visit , especially if you have troubles or woes, it will ease your mind and put things into order in your life at least for the moment you are there.
Christine King
email : [--]
You must really visit this place and visit , especially if you have troubles or woes, it will ease your mind and put things into order in your life at least for the moment you are there.
Christine King
email : [--]
Written 16 March 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IL-PINE
Qormi361 contributions
This is a Basilica that is located out of the way of Rome's touristic areas. Thus, few people actually visit. This is actually a pity, since it houses some important relics. The atmosphere in the church is very quite, and you do not get the rumbling noises of people as in most of the other Roman churches. We decided to walk all way in a straight line from the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore via Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II and through Via Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (around 25 minutes walk!). Another better option is to talk a metro trip to the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano and after visiting there walk along Viale Carlo Felice to the church.
On the left side is an entrance where you come to a room with ancient decorations and reputed to have soil from the holy land. Then a room of a girl who has been beatified. Then up the stairs and you come to a small room full of relics. In fact there are the finger of St Thomas, a thorn from the crown of Christ, a nail from the cross, a piece of the cross and of the cross of one of the thieves, and the inscript INRI in 3 languages. These are said to have been brought by St Helen from Jerusalem. Believe if you wish, but definitely a must visit, since entrance is free of charge!
On the left side is an entrance where you come to a room with ancient decorations and reputed to have soil from the holy land. Then a room of a girl who has been beatified. Then up the stairs and you come to a small room full of relics. In fact there are the finger of St Thomas, a thorn from the crown of Christ, a nail from the cross, a piece of the cross and of the cross of one of the thieves, and the inscript INRI in 3 languages. These are said to have been brought by St Helen from Jerusalem. Believe if you wish, but definitely a must visit, since entrance is free of charge!
Written 25 November 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SavvyTravelogue
kent453 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
What makes this church worth visiting is upstairs….holy relics and a copy of the Turin shroud. The latter is interesting even though it is merely a copy of the original in Turin (which I think you only get one chance a decade to see, so you’re probably never going to see that unless you make a specific effort to go when it is displayed to the public and are prepared to put up with the crowds I expect are there then). The holy relics include bits of wood from the Cross, a nail, two thorns, the bone of Thomas’s finger and the title of the Cross (i.e. the sign that Pilate had made saying ‘Here is your King of the Jews’ that was put on the Cross). The latter was rediscovered because it had been hidden behind a brick to prevent it from being pilfered during an invasion of Rome, but had been forgotten about. It was only fairly recently found again. Genuine or not, it is stll fascinating to see these relics displayed, by those and for those who believe them to be real and believe in Jesus.
Written 29 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mercyngrace
Thousand Oaks, CA29 contributions
Sept 2012 • Couples
This was one of the six churches that we visited on our Christian Tour. The Holy Relics were awe-inspiring. The thorns from Jesus' Crown of Thorns...St. Thomas' finger...wow...This church was a must-see for me.
Written 18 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Baldyontour
Northern Ireland77 contributions
Mar 2012 • Couples
The first place we visited in Rome, and a life changing experience. Yes it is down to faith, but those of us who have faith benefit from a visit to this place. It is an unpreposessing building outside, but inside it is a lace of beauty and peace. Make it you first stop in Rome and say a prayer for the success of your visit to the City. It worked for us.
Written 2 April 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dapper777
Monaco65,428 contributions
Sept 2019
The church, that can be accessed from a wide square, is especially well-known because it houses important relics, like many pieces of Christ's Cross, hence its name, in addition to important frescoes, mosaics and a copy of the Holy Shroud.
As soon as you enter the basilica, you will surely be struck by the wonderful cosmatesque floor (style of geometric decorative inlay artwork), and the 12 colossal marble columns that divide the basilica in three aisles.
Also very suggestive is the wooden ceiling with the 'Apotheosis of Saint Empress Helena' (Emperor Constantine’s mother) by Giaquinto, same author of the frescoes that decorate the apse and the presbitery, except the Legends of the True Cross, which dates back to the 15th century and is considered a masterpiece by Antoniazzo Romano.
From a staircase right to the 18th-century ciborium the small St. Helena's Chapel can be accessed. This chapel preserves underground some soil from the Calvary. On the vault is kept an extraordinary mosaic representing the Blessing Christ, the Evangelists and Histories of the Cross, by Baldassarre Peruzzi according to a design by Melozzo da Forlì.
Finally, going back to the left isle can be accessed the Chapel of Relics, which houses three authentic fragments from the True Cross, the cross of one of the thieves, one nail used in the crucifixion, and small pieces of the scourging pillar, the Holy Sepulchre and the tomb of Jesus. It also contains a reliquary of two of the thorns in the crown of thorns.
Even though its authenticity is not completely certain, tradition tells that the relics were brought by St. Helena herself after her trip to the Holy Land.
Originally built around 320 A.D. it was a small chapel attached to Saint Helena’s home and the floor contained some soil brought back from the holy land.
It definitely was worth it.
Very historic, beautiful, ancient church,
The church, with its gorgeous columns, mosaics, paintings and sculpture offers a calm and serene sanctuary for spiritual reflection. Fantastic chapels abound.
The church is at a little distance from the main historic center, so you need to go a little out of your way to get here, but lovers of historic churches will be amazed.
As soon as you enter the basilica, you will surely be struck by the wonderful cosmatesque floor (style of geometric decorative inlay artwork), and the 12 colossal marble columns that divide the basilica in three aisles.
Also very suggestive is the wooden ceiling with the 'Apotheosis of Saint Empress Helena' (Emperor Constantine’s mother) by Giaquinto, same author of the frescoes that decorate the apse and the presbitery, except the Legends of the True Cross, which dates back to the 15th century and is considered a masterpiece by Antoniazzo Romano.
From a staircase right to the 18th-century ciborium the small St. Helena's Chapel can be accessed. This chapel preserves underground some soil from the Calvary. On the vault is kept an extraordinary mosaic representing the Blessing Christ, the Evangelists and Histories of the Cross, by Baldassarre Peruzzi according to a design by Melozzo da Forlì.
Finally, going back to the left isle can be accessed the Chapel of Relics, which houses three authentic fragments from the True Cross, the cross of one of the thieves, one nail used in the crucifixion, and small pieces of the scourging pillar, the Holy Sepulchre and the tomb of Jesus. It also contains a reliquary of two of the thorns in the crown of thorns.
Even though its authenticity is not completely certain, tradition tells that the relics were brought by St. Helena herself after her trip to the Holy Land.
Originally built around 320 A.D. it was a small chapel attached to Saint Helena’s home and the floor contained some soil brought back from the holy land.
It definitely was worth it.
Very historic, beautiful, ancient church,
The church, with its gorgeous columns, mosaics, paintings and sculpture offers a calm and serene sanctuary for spiritual reflection. Fantastic chapels abound.
The church is at a little distance from the main historic center, so you need to go a little out of your way to get here, but lovers of historic churches will be amazed.
Written 20 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bonnie J
Doha, Qatar82 contributions
July 2015
A treasure trove of holy relics, including a piece of the Cross on which Jesus was crucified, a nail used to crucify him, a thorn from the crown of thorns, a finger of St Thomas and a copy of the Turin Shroud.
Written 6 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James J
10 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
There are some incredible relics to view...witness. And an absolutely stunning sculpture of Christ done by 80 year old Bernini. This Basilica is a little further away from the center but worth the taxi ride or walk
Written 23 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PettRuss8
Pennsylvania328 contributions
Oct 2019
Wonderful Basilica, worth visiting for close-up views of the unique and precious relics brought back by St Helena from the Holy Land. We stayed for the 7 pm Mass, held at the Chapel next to the statue of St Helena.. A memorable spiritual experience for our family!
Written 19 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Spanish Steps Apartment
Rome, Italy33,913 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
The Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem is said to contain multiple relics of the True Cross and the Crucifixion brought back from the Holy Land by Saint Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine the Great. The relics are in a small chapel accessed through a passage on the left of the main altar. Originally this was the site of a pagan temple; later it was the private chapel of St. Helena. A massive statue of the saint (converted from a rather sensual pagan statue of the Goddess Juno; note the peacocks in the gorgeous mosaic ceiling, a symbol of Juno) stands in her chapel (accessed through a passage on the right of the main altar). The apse decoration and marble floors are remarkable.
Written 5 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sai fare delle foto?
¿ Se pueden hacer fotos ?
Can you take a photos ?
Written 2 November 2020
Are there often long lines to see the pieces of the Holy Cross? If so, how long should I expect to wait?Planning on visiting in June. Thanks!
Written 22 August 2020
How can i get from the Trevi fountain to the basílica di santa croce in gerusalemme, rome
Written 29 August 2015
I did not visit the Trevi fountain but I was at the Colosseum and caught a tram route #3 from there (about 5 stops) to the Basilica. Public transport is great in Rome so you should have no problems getting from one site to another.
Written 30 August 2015
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