photo: Campaz
photo: Campaz
the cyborium of the Basilica di Sant'Elia with part of the frescos

We have just taken a new booking for September from our second group of Venezuelan guests. They are coming to attend a wedding that will be held in Castel Sant’Elia, which is 37 km from Capena. This is what the Wikipedia entry says:  Castel Sant’Elia’s main attraction is the Basilica of Sant’Elia or Sant’Anastasio, a medieval church built, according to tradition, over an ancient temple of Diana. It dates to the 1120s and is built in tuff with three portals, all sculpted with flowers, animals and monstrous figures. The interior comprises a nave and two aisles, divided by re-used ancient columns. Under the apse is the crypt, housing the tombs of St. Anastasius and St. Nonnosus.

Nearby is the Sanctuary of Santa Maria ad Rupes, housing a tunnel with 144 steps carved by hand by a local hermit, an endeavor that took 14 years.

I shall definitely be checking that out on my next trip – sounds great!