SANTA CECILIA
NECROPOLIS
IN ITALY
G'day folks,
Here is a fascinating assortment of cave dwellings, medieval ruins, and sarcophagi that are being devoured by the forest in Italy.
A steep Etruscan Via Cava (excavated road) leads down to the unusual
site of Santa Cecilia. Along the way, elaborate cave houses emerge from
within the massive peperino boulders that are strewn around the canyon
below the village of Bomarzo. One of the more elaborate cave houses
displays holes which may have been carved to support an external
structure with wooden posts.
All around the site you’ll see eerie human-shaped sarcophagi, with occasional Greek crosses in the reliefs. Some are damaged, others are intact, but they likely belonged to the medieval necropolis that was associated with the local church of Santa Cecilia. Another elaborate cave house in the proximity of the church of Santa Cecilia is shaped like an open-air altar, though its purpose is still unknown.
There are hypotheses that there is a strong continuity in this site throughout the Etruscan and medieval times, and that the original stone structures may have undergone a “Christianisation,” a religious cleansing of their pagan origins. The site, which has been almost completely taken over by the forest, was once a flourishing medieval community.
Clancy's comment: Mm ... This site certainly looks ancient. You can only imagine what life was like at this place in the 12th-century.
I'm ...
My oldest sister is a Cecilia. This is beautiful I have visited some places like this. But do not remeber STA Cecila's specifically. I was in Italy in my 20s for a month with my VERY Catholic parent.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting Clancy.
Wow, Glad you liked this. Great to see you.
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