Scala Sancta
Last summer my daughter and I planned to visit Italy. We had everything set up but we had to cancel and we rescheduled for this past June. We chose our dates and booked flights on TAP Portugal from Toronto to Rome for $633 each.
As the trip approached we began to make a list of the things we didn’t want to miss and Scala Sancta made the cut. Especially when I discovered that they were under renovation which lead to a really unique opportunity. According to the Catholic Church the 28 marble steps are originally from Jerusalem and they were the steps Jesus Christ ascended when Pontius Pilot passed judgment on him, leading to the crucifixion. They were brought to Rome by St. Helena in the 4th century. Faithful pilgrims began climbing the stairs on their knees. As you can imagine, they began to wear over time so the Church covered them with wood in the 18th century to preserve them. Beginning in April 2019 for a period of 60 days worshippers were allowed to climb the original uncovered marble. We were scheduled to arrive on the last day they were to be uncovered!
We arrived with our bags after a cab ride about an hour before closing.
We felt a bit out of place hoisting our bags up each step, but we both made it to the top. It was sweaty but satisfying work.
Each step is deeply grooved from where your toes catch whilst kneeling on the step above when pushing off. It’s hard to explain but the grooves actually made it easier to ascend from the step above to the one beyond that. You can see a bit how they were formed in the photo below. Look at the feet of the woman in white and red.
There are crosses embedded in some of the stairs as well as protective cages over marks that are said to be Christ’s blood. Photos are very discouraged, as you can see above.
The wear is so severe in some places it explains the need to keep them covered.
Not everyone can or even wants to climb on their knees so there is an alternative set of stairs to reach the top.
When we reached the top we could hear Mass being performed so we stood in the back.
After Mass we went to check into our hotel. We saw the impressive basilica across the street was closed, so we had to return another day.
Sometimes our plans get changed and we become really disappointed. Often, the delay gives us an unforeseen benefit. An opportunity to ascending the uncovered Scala Sancta for the first time in 300 years is an unbelievable gift. My daughter and I will never forget it.
~ Freddy
