Rome

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Santa Croce in Gerusalemme

Founded in 320 by St Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine (who converted to and legalised Christianity in 313), this church was rebuilt in the 12th century, and again in 1743-44. Helena had her church constructed to house relics she brought back from the Holy Land: three chunks of Christ’s cross, a nail, two thorns from his crown and the finger of St Thomas – allegedly the very one the doubter stuck into Christ’s wound. All of these are displayed in a chapel at the end of a Fascist-era hall at the left side of the nave. The gorgeous vegetable garden, kept by the monks of the adjoining monastery, can be visited by appointment.

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