San Pietro Ispano church, Boville Ernica, Medieval church in Boville Ernica, Italy.
San Pietro Ispano is a church in Boville Ernica featuring a Latin cross layout with a central nave leading up six steps to a raised transverse section. Inside are three silver reliquaries, including one from the 16th century showing Saint Peter Ispano wearing a silver-plated mantle and halo.
The church first appears in a papal document from Pope Honorius II dated November 28, 1125, confirming its possession by the Bishop of Veroli. The site developed around the presence of Saint Peter Ispano, who lived in the grotto located beneath the presbytery.
Benedictine nuns maintain the church, conducting liturgical celebrations while preserving ancient traditions of monastic life established since 1298.
The church sits in a mountain village and can be challenging to reach, as the access roads are narrow and steep. A visit works best with local guidance or by contacting the nuns who live there beforehand.
Beneath the presbytery lies a grotto where Saint Peter Ispano lived in penance after leaving Cadiz, which later became a pilgrimage site. Visitors can see this cave space where the saint spent years in solitary prayer and reflection.
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