The 28 steps that make up the “Scala Sancta,” or Holy Stairs of the Pontifical Shrine in Rome were unveiled on Thursday after 300 years, just in time for Easter, ABC News reported.

The steps that took more than a year to restore were believed to be part of Pontius Pilate’s palace in Jerusalem. They were also the same steps Jesus climbed before being tried by Pilate and sentenced to crucifixion.

Thousands of people will travel to Rome to view the majestic steps. Prior to the unveiling, the stairs had not been seen without their wooden protection in almost 300 years.

The steps are now housed in a building that contains part of the old papal Lateran Palace in southeast Rome, across from the Basilica of St. John the Lateran.

“The newly restored frescoes help the faithful connect with the Holy history,” Father Francesco Guerra said.

Pilgrims will be able to ascend the bare marble Holy Stairs on their knees for the next two  months until Pentecost.

Since 1723, they had been encased in walnut wood for protection.

It wasn’t easy restoring the stairs. Prior to the unveiling ceremony, the Vatican Museum restorers described the process to uncover the original stairs which contain three small bronze crosses embedded in the marble and spots believed to be stained by Jesus’ blood.

They also found large furrows running along each step which they believed were caused by the toes of pilgrims’ shoes as they knelt and rose to move up to the next step over the centuries.

Paolo Violini, the coordinator of the restoration said, “We found them step by step as we removed the floorboards – many, many little notes and coins, left as offerings.”

Those who were apart of the unveiling ceremony were handed plastic shoe-covers to protect the marble and be the first to start the ascent on their knees.

The entire sanctuary is presently undergoing restoration work which has lasted 60 years, with frescoes already restored to its original glory. Work is expected to be completed next year.

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