The basilica of the relics of the Passion

The Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme / Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem is one of Rome's most evocative and meaning-laden churches: it safeguards the relics of the Passion of Christ, brought from Jerusalem—so tradition holds—by St Helena, mother of the emperor Constantine. Fragments of the True Cross, a nail, the Titulus Crucis (the wooden plaque bearing the inscription placed on the cross), and other relics have made it a pilgrimage destination since antiquity. It is one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of the Roman pilgrimage tradition.

The history

The basilica rose in the 4th century inside the imperial palace of St Helena (the Sessorianum), where the saint is said to have kept the relics gathered in the Holy Land. This is why the church is described as standing "in Jerusalem": soil from Calvary was brought inside, making it symbolically a piece of Jerusalem in Rome. The splendid Baroque facade and the interiors were renovated in the 18th century.

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What to see

  • The Cappella delle Reliquie (Chapel of the Relics), where the relics of the Passion are kept.
  • The Cappella di Sant'Elena (Chapel of St Helena), with mosaics and the atmosphere of the church's earliest origins.
  • The facade and the Baroque interiors of the basilica.
  • The connection with the Seven Pilgrim Churches and the Roman pilgrimage.

We go deeper in our guide to what to see at Santa Croce in Gerusalemme and in the article on the relics of the Passion.

Admission and visit

Admission to the basilica is generally free, as it is for churches across Rome. For opening hours and practical details, see the guide Santa Croce in Gerusalemme: hours and admission. To get there, check how to reach Santa Croce in Gerusalemme.

Near San Giovanni in Laterano

The basilica sits close to San Giovanni in Laterano and the Aurelian Walls: it pairs perfectly with a visit to the Lateran district. See our guide to San Giovanni in Laterano.

Frequently asked questions

What is Santa Croce in Gerusalemme? A basilica in Rome that safeguards the relics of the Passion of Christ, brought from Jerusalem—according to tradition—by St Helena. It is one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of the Roman pilgrimage.

Why is it called "in Jerusalem"? Because, according to tradition, soil from Calvary was brought here and the relics from the Holy Land are kept inside: the church is symbolically a piece of Jerusalem in Rome.

Which relics are kept here? Fragments of the True Cross, a nail, the Titulus Crucis (the plaque with the cross's inscription), thorns from the Crown, and other relics of the Passion. We explore them in a dedicated guide.

Is there an admission fee? No, admission to the basilica is generally free. Check the opening hours and any restrictions on the official website.

Where is it located? Near San Giovanni in Laterano and the Aurelian Walls, in the southeastern part of central Rome.

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Article #507 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026