So called from the legend that S. Peter, when escaping from Rome, was
met by our Saviour at this spot. Peter asked of him, "Domine, quo
vadis?" to which Jesus replied, "Venio iterum crucifigi," which caused
the apostle to return to his doom. They show on a small piece of
marble two footprints, which they say is where the Lord stood--he
having left the imprint of his feet on a piece of white marble in a
road paved with silex. We don't believe it; but our readers may, if
they like. The original is in the Church of S. Sebastiano. _The Via
Ardeatina goes off to the right._ Just beyond, where the lane turns
off to the left, Cardinal Pole erected the little round shrine as the
exact spot where Jesus stood.