Domus Sessoriana

The Domus Sessoriana, adjacent to the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, is located in the Esquiline District, close to the Aurelian Walls and the Castrense Amphitheater. Its name derives from the Sessorian Palace, a complex that from the 3rd century AD was the residence of the last emperors, from Septimius Severus to Constantine. According to the Liber Pontificalis, Constantine transformed part of the building into a Christian basilica to house the relics of the Holy Cross found on Mount Calvary.
The complex underwent an initial renovation in the 8th century under Popes Gregory II and Hadrian XII, but it was not until the 12th century, under Pope Lucius II, that it underwent a radical renovation, with the creation of three naves of the basilica, the addition of a bell tower, and the portico.
In the 18th century, Pope Benedict XIV renovated the building again, commissioning architects Pietro Passalacqua and Domenico Gregorini to incorporate the Basilica into the Domus, modifying it internally and externally. They created an elliptical atrium with three entrances and replaced the medieval façade with a modern, dramatic travertine façade. This follows the Baroque style, alternating concave and convex volumes that characterize the continuous scenic backdrop overlooking the Piazza di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, which still exists today.
To the right of the atrium of the Basilica are two doors: the one with a travertine tympanum provides access to the Parish of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, established in 1912 by Pope Pius X, while the arched door provides access to the Domus Sessoriana, currently used as a hotel. Both doors will be restored.
Conventual Wing
The building is divided into two sections. The first, called the Conventual Wing, built on the Roman Walls, comprises a first level containing the lobby, reception, and several areas furnished with sofas for reading or relaxing. From the first level, it’s easy and charming to ascend to the first and second floors, thanks to a modern elevator with a transparent structure that offers views of unparalleled 19th-century paintings. These floors of the Conventual Wing are entirely dedicated to spacious rooms, accessed via an impressive corridor.
The Bell Tower
Using the same elevator, guests access the attic floor where the smaller rooms are located, yet still equipped with the same services and amenities. Some rooms have balconies and views of the Basilica of San Giovanni or the cloister of the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme.

The Roof Terrace
On the highest level is the roof terrace, where guests can enjoy a 360° view of Rome and gaze across centuries of history: from the Monastery gardens, located within the perimeter of the Castrense Amphitheater (the second-largest Roman amphitheater after the Colosseum), the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano, and the domes and rooftops of the city. The terrace is divided into an outdoor area and a fully air-conditioned glass-covered area, ideal for winter or hot days. It is accessible to guests throughout the day, so guests can linger there to admire the sunset or sunrise.

Aurelian Wing
The second block, called the Aurelian Wing, is connected to the Conventual Wing by both an external and internal passageway and has five finely furnished floors. It also offers a walk through the archaeological excavations. Recent restoration work has provided the Domus Sessoriana with a larger number of rooms to better meet guest needs. This ambitious project, given the building’s characteristic masonry, was also aimed at providing guests with a free service, an essential part of modern hospitality.