![]() That being said, unaided by an explanation, the resulting object would have nothing to do with its original sacred model. We can play with those parts, replicate them in the same material and size but assemble in a completely different order and arrangement: the pieces could become a functional object such as shelter, furniture or a playground, or perhaps something very abstract-the possibilities dormant in the shapes are endless. Scala Sancta consists of 28 rectangular pieces set one on the top of another, organised in the shape of stairs. ![]() On a visual level it would remain the same as the original piece but once the story behind it is missing, it becomes but an everyday, profane object. If one placed a copy of Scala Sancta in a public space without any explanation and instruction as to how to use it, it would simply become a part of urban landscape: a staircase connecting point A with point B, a place to tie one’s shoe, smoke a cigarette or observe the view. These factors in this case could be a story/legend, dimensions, act of crawling on one’s knees or iconography. It is important to distinguish which quality or factor is crucial for replica of Scala Sancta to actually be saint. There are factors which should be preserved during the process of converting while the others do not play any significant role in creating the powerful, sanctifying effect. Let us consider the example of Scala Sancta. The question is what is the limit of this phenomenon, after how many transformations this replica will not be powerful anymore: can this process be stretched infinitely, until it becomes ridiculous? This physical relation makes it into a sacred object. The story behind the original object is so influential that its replica becomes sacred-even if the 28 only relation it actually has with the original holiness is through the physical qualities people still perceive. There are around twenty imitations of Scala Sancta all over the world, often used for indulgences just like the ones in Rome. Now covered with a protective wooden layer, the stairs are open to visitors who are allowed to climb them only on their knees. According to a legend, those are the steps which led to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate: Jesus Christ climbed them on the way to his trial. Helen, mother of Constantine the Great, from Jerusalem. John of the Lateran.One of the Roman Catholic Church’s holiest relics, The Scala Sancta ( Holy Stairs), is a set of 28 white marble steps, now in Palatio ad Sancta Sanctorum. Under the altar of this chapel once lay the heads of Saints Peter and Paul, which were later transferred to St. ![]() In addition to the Holy Steps, there is another, slightly less sacred staircase, which leads to the Sancta Sanctorum, a chapel with a famous painting of the Savior. The Holy Steps are the property of the Holy See and as such, according to the 1929 Pact of the Lateran, are not subject to Italian law. Until the unification of Italy in 1870 he regularly climbed the steps himself, but after this event he sulkily locked himself in the Vatican. Under Pope Pius IX (mid-19th century) a restoration took place and the cult of the reliquary was promoted. Originally, the steps were located in the Patriarchum, or complex of the Palazzi Lateranensi, where the popes used to reside. Probably these people don’t believe that through the small glass windows on the steps you can see drops of Jesus’ blood either. As usual, there are game changers, in this case historians who claim that the steps date from the 4th century. It is one of the holiest places in Christianity. Pilgrims from all over the world come to Rome to kneel and climb these steps, which used to be called Scala Pilati. Since 1589, they have been in their present location, where they were placed by Pope Sixtus V. History and descriptionĪccording to medieval tradition, the steps were brought to Rome by Helena (the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great) in 326. No reservations are required to climb the steps on your knees. On Sundays and holidays, the shrine opens 30 minutes later. The Santuario della Scala Santa is open daily from 06:30 to 18:30. The address of the Scala Santa (or Sancta) is Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano, 14 – 00185 Rome. Address, Admission and Opening Hours Scaka Santa Complex
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