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| Basilica of Santa Croce (Holy Cross) in Jerusalem |
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| The hotel is located in this basilica, one of the most important in Rome. |
This church was built on the site of an imperial palace which was given to St. Helena, Emperor Constantine the Great's
mother, in the early 4th century. She made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and brought back the Holy Stairs (in Pontius Pilate's
palace), as well as relics of the True Cross, a thorn from the Crown, a nail from the Cross, and the Titulus from the Cross.
Constantine built a chapel in her palace (the Sessorian Palace) for these relics. This basilica was enlarged in the
12th century and a new facade was added in the 18th century.
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| Relics of the True Cross in Santa Croce |
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| St. Helena, Constantine's mother, brought back the relics of the True Cross from Jerusalem. |
The relics are displayed in the Helen Chapel, which was not altered in the 12th century restoration of the church, since
the floor was placed over soil brought from Calvary.
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| Back of Santa Croce, with bell tower |
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| As seen from roof garden of hotel |
Although the front of the church is 18th century, the rear is much older. The bell tower (campanile) was built
in the 12th century. The hotel is in the building on the left, and my room faced the side of the church.
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| My hotel room |
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| Simple but comfortable |
While the former monastery in which the hotel is located is quite old, the rooms are modern, with phone, satellite TV,
minibar, and full bath. The hotel has a breakfast room (continental buffet breakfast is included) as well as Internet
access. In places the original travertine blocks have been left uncovered.
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