Via Crucis Pilgrim Tour Rome

Our Via Crucis Pilgrim Tour begins at the Papal Basilica of St Mary Major, known as Santa Maria Maggiore in Italian. You’ll meet our devout Catholic guide at the fountain in front of the Basilica and learn all about the fascinating history of the Basilica and its Holy Door. Inside you’ll see wood from the Crib, the icon Salus Populi Romani and interpret the Catechesis and symbolism in the stunning artwork.

Moving on, we’ll take you to some of Rome’s hidden treasures, basilicas of powerful historical significance and prestige that are nowadays unknown to the mainstream. You’ll see the Pillar against which Christ was flogged, the sites of various miracles and the most famous icon in the world.

Our Via Crucis Tour then passes by the Church of the Holy Stairs—the very steps from Pilate’s praetorium in Jerusalem which Christ climbed in condemnation and which were brought to Rome in the 4th century. Please note that it will not be possible during the tour to climb the steps on our knees as per the tradition, but pilgrims may arrange to do so in their own time free of charge.

As our quintessential Catholic pilgrimage experience nears its climax we visit the Arch-Basilica of St John Lateran, the Mother Church of all the World and Seat of the Pope in Rome, where the heads of Saints Peter and Paul are kept.

Then it’s on to our final destination and the conclusion of our tour at the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, where we’ll find the Relics of the Passion of Christ. Our Via Crucis Pilgrim Tour ends here at around 6pm, about a 20-minute walk from where we started.