http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-santa-croce-in-gerusalemme
Go to this link and be amazed. This church is a place of pilgrimage for those who seek Christian artifacts. It is little known to tourists and was almost empty when I visited in 2010. There is a full-sized backlit replica of the Shroud on display, you can stand within a few feet of it. It is staggering. The church itself was built in 400 AD to house artifacts acquired by St. Helen and brought to Rome in 348 AD.
Also in this church are these purported artifacts:
Two thorns from the Crown
A nail from the True Cross
Wood from the True Cross
Wood from the Cross of the Good Thief
Half of the inscription board from the head of the True Cross (found hidden in a wall in this church in 1492, and the best artifact of all once you read the backstory).
Belief is up to the beholder, I make no claims. Let’s just say this church is well worth the visit if you get to Rome.
Another Rome favorite is the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains, which displays the chains that held St. Peter before he was martyred, and Michelangelo’s Moses, a massive and impressive sculpture that to me rivals the David.
Good hunting!
I was able to visit San Pietro in Vincoli and saw the two sets of chains that merged into one. Michelangelo's Moses is a masterpiece. When he completed the work, he hit it with a hammer and said: "Speak to me!" Were you able to visit the Sistine Chapel to see his frescoes? What about Florence? The David is so realistic that you can practically see the blood coursing through his veins.
