The Basilica of Saint Mary of the Altar in Heaven

You are now standing at the foot of the 124 steps leading up to the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, perched at the highest point of Capitoline Hill. Don’t let the climb put you off. According to tradition, the staircase was built by the people of Rome in 1348 to thank the Virgin Mary for delivering the city from the plague. It was once considered sacred, and some people climbed it on their knees in the hope of having a child, finding a husband… or even winning the lottery! The plain brick façade may seem rather austere, but the interior is far more spectacular. Inside, you’ll find a gilded ceiling celebrating the victory at the Battle of Lepanto, a marble floor and a series of ancient columns — no two alike — salvaged from earlier Roman monuments.The name Aracoeli means “Altar of Heaven” and comes from an ancient legend. A prophetess, known as a sibyl, is said to have foretold the birth of the Son of God to Emperor Augustus, showing him a vision of the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus. The story is, of course, only a legend. But during the Middle Ages, it provided a symbolic link between the Rome of the emperors and Christian Rome. The basilica is also home to the famous Santo Bambino, or Holy Child, a small statue of the infant Jesus that Romans once believed had miraculous powers. The original was stolen in 1994 and has never been recovered, so the statue you can see today is a copy. All that’s left now is to climb those final steps and push open the door. Don’t worry — it’s well worth the effort. And best of all, admission is free!