The removal of the wooden planks revealed the steps have been deeply grooved by centuries of this practice.
“Up until a few days ago, it wasn’t possible to see this because the stairs were covered for 300 years by walnut planks,” Guerra said.
Church tradition holds that St. Helen, the mother of Emperor Constantine, had the steps transported from Jerusalem to Rome in 326 A.D. along with several other relics related to Christ.
“We know for certain that St. Helen transported the nails used to crucify Jesus and a portion of his cross, to a church near here,” Guerra said.
The steps lead to a room called the Holy of Holies, which once served as a private chapel for popes. An icon of Jesus dating back to the fifth century and several relics of church saints lie within.
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