The “Scala Santa” or “Holy Stairs” is a replica of the staircase that Jesus climbed to gain access to the Pretorium of Pontius Pilate.  It is therefore a precious reminder of Our Lord's Passion. The original staircase, sanctified by our Saviour's footsteps, still exists today. It is venerated in Rome, across from the Basilica of St. John Lateran. 

During the last century, it became very popular throughout the Catholic world to construct staircases that were exact replica of the original staircase in Rome.  

This practice continued at Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré where, in 1891, the first such staircase of its kind in North America was built. A small object, each commemorating a different Shrine in the Holy Land, is placed in each riser of the staircase. The Holy Stairs themselves are located on the second floor of the Scala Santa building.