Sant'Angelo in Formis

Sant'Angelo in Formis is a medieval basilica and archaeological site near Capua built on the ruins of a Roman temple. The church has three naves separated by ancient columns and a bell tower beside an entrance portico with five arches.

The basilica was built in the 11th century by Abbot Desiderius of Montecassino on the foundations of a sanctuary dedicated to Diana. Benedictine monks used the building as an outpost of their monastery until the late Middle Ages.

The name comes from the Latin term "in formis," which refers to the ancient aqueducts that once ran through this area. Visitors can still see traces of these water channels along the hillside below the church.

The church sits on the western slope of Mount Tifata and is reached by a winding road that climbs from Capua. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, as the path from the parking area to the entrance rises gently.

The apse preserves an 11th-century fresco cycle that ranks among the best-preserved medieval wall paintings in southern Italy. The scenes follow a clear theological order from the Last Judgment down to episodes from the Old and New Testament.