It stands against the walls of the third city perimeter near Porta Romana and is one of the oldest churches in the city, dating back to the 11th century. The building is named "De Criptis" because it was built over the tunnels of the now disused Roman amphitheater. From the original structure, only part of the facade with a small lintel door remains. On the left side of the ancient church, the subsequent church built in the 14th century is seamlessly attached. The interior, originally a single nave, was modified between the 12th and 14th centuries with the addition of two smaller side aisles. Each aisle houses an altar in travertine near the presbytery. On the outside, the facade features squared limestone blocks of varying sizes. At the bottom center, the entrance is marked by a monumental pointed arch door, decorated with spiral columns, while at the top, the beautiful rose window with radial patterns from the older church takes center stage. Finally, at the back of the church stands the bell tower.
December 5, 2024