Follow the final hours of Christ’s life through the relics preserved in several Roman churches. Discover the religious heart of Rome, on a 3.5-hour private tour that takes you to see relics from the Passion of Jesus brought to Rome from the Holy Land.

About this activity

Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
Covid-19 precautions: Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
Reserve now & pay later: Reserve now & pay later to book your spot without any charges today. Learn more
Duration 3.5 hours: Check availability to see starting times.
Skip the line through express security check
Live tour guide: English, Italian
Private group

Highlights

See the relic of the flogging pillar at the Basilica of Santa Prassede
Marvel at the ornate Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
Walk up the Holy Stairs at the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran

Full description

Embark on a 3.5-hour private guided tour with a focus on the spirituality of Rome and some of the churches linked to the Passion of Jesus. Start out at the Basilica of Santa Prassede, where you’ll see a relic of the pillar of the flogging, a segment of the column upon which Jesus was flogged before his crucifixion. Mentioned in 3 of the canonical gospels, this relic was brought to Rome during the Middle Ages. Next is a visit to the amazing Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. This is the largest Marian Church in Rome and is home to a piece of wood said to come from the crib of Jesus. Move on to the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the first of the 4 papal basilicas to be built, and the Cathedral of Rome. See the Scala Sancta, or Holy Stairs. These are the steps leading up to Pilate's headquarter in Jerusalem, on which Jesus stepped before he was sentenced to death. To gain the plenary Indulgence, believers climb the steps on their knees. Nearby is the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem. It was built in the 4th century A.D. to preserve the relics brought to Rome by St. Helen, the mother of Constantine. Several relics are preserved in the Cappella delle Reliquie. See the panel that hung on Christ's cross, 2 thorns from his crown, and 3 pieces of his cross.

Includes

Private tour guide

Meals

Not suitable for

Pregnant women
People with mobility impairments
Wheelchair users

Covid-19 precautions

Traveler requirements

You must present either proof of full vaccination, proof of a Covid-19 infection in the past 3 months, or a negative test taken no more than 24 hours before the activity starts
Masks are required while indoors

Meeting point

St. Mary Major Square. Right in front of the Facade of St. Mary Major Basilica, next to the Column of Peace.

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Important information

What to bring

Passport or ID card

Not allowed

Shorts
Luggage or large bags
Sleeveless shirts

Know before you go

Please remember that when visiting churches, shoulders and knees must be covered.

Customer reviews

Overall rating

5 /5

based on 3 reviews

Review summary

Value for money
5/5
Service
5/5
Organization
5/5

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Awe-inspiring, every Catholic should take this tour when in Rome.

Our guide, Niccolo was punctual and provided a very comprehensive tour. It was well planned, including coffee and restroom breaks with Metro tickets for the commute to the various sites. He was very patient with us, giving us the time we needed to fully take in the richness of each site. And giving a wealth of insightful information at every site, information that provides for deeper appreciation of the Catholic Faith and Tradition. Niccolo came across sincerely zealous for helping Catholics with the increase in the understanding of the treasures of our Faith, we could not ask for a better guide in this respect. At the end of the tour (which ended late because of our time taken at each site), he even ensured we were set on our way to our next destination.

December 31, 2018

An amazing tour of sacred relics and sites. Mind blowing for myself and my family (3 children: 10,12,15). Our guide Niccolò was incredible. He was organised, highly informative, helpful and accommodating. Even helped us to get to our next appointment. My only regret is that we didn’t book him for more tours. He was also very respectful of all the places we visited. Thank you Niccolò for a very memorable tour.

January 12, 2018

This was the best tour ever!!!

Niccolò was an excellent guide. He sent us an email before, picked us up right on time, and took us through an historical and religious journey for our tour. He went above and beyond and exceeded our expectations. What a wonderful afternoon!!!

February 27, 2019

Rome: The Passion of Jesus Private Guided Tour

Rome: The Passion of Jesus Private Guided Tour

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Awe-inspiring, every Catholic should take this tour when in Rome.

This was the best tour ever!!!