The Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme is one of the seven churches in Rome that is part of the traditional pilgrimage itinerary made famous by St. Philip Neri.
It was built starting from the 4th century at the Palazzo del Sessorium, the residence of Sant'Elena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, near the Lateran.
The basilica was not built to honor the memory of the martyrs, as was tradition, but exclusively to preserve a part of the Cross of Jesus, together with other relics of the Passion which, according to tradition, Saint Helena had transported to Rome on her return from her trip to the Holy Land in 325.
It was therefore conceived from the beginning as a great reliquary, destined to preserve precious testimonies of the passion of Jesus.
The basilica is called "in Jerusalem" due to the presence of consecrated earth from Mount Calvary which was placed at the base of the foundations, earth transported on ships together with the relics of the Cross.
For this reason the church was called, since the Middle Ages, simply "Hierusalem", and, for popular devotion, visiting this basilica meant setting foot in the holy city of Jerusalem itself. It has the dignity of a minor basilica.
Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
Address: Piazza di S. Croce in Gerusalemme, 00185
Phone: 0670613053
Site:
http://www.santacroceroma.it/Location inserted by
CHO.earth