Cripta di Sant'Emidio, edificio religioso di Ascoli Piceno
The Cripta di Sant'Emidio lies beneath the cathedral of Ascoli Piceno and holds the remains of the city's patron saint in a Roman sarcophagus from the 4th century. Red Verona marble columns added in the early 1700s support the vault, while medieval frescoes visible on the walls reveal layers of decoration from the 13th and 14th centuries.
The crypt was built around the middle of the 11th century to house the remains of Saint Emidio, a bishop from the time of Emperor Diocletian who was executed around 303 AD. After the devastating earthquake of 1703 that damaged many Italian cities, the community renovated and reinforced the crypt with new marble columns and taller vaults.
Saint Emidio is the patron saint of Ascoli Piceno and remains deeply important to the local community. Inside the crypt, people light candles and leave offerings to honor him, keeping alive the faith traditions that have defined the city for centuries.
You enter the crypt by descending stairs at the end of the cathedral's side aisles, and you should move quietly as it is a place of worship. The lighting is dim, so allow your eyes time to adjust to see the details of the columns and decorated walls.
A medieval legend tells that Saint Emidio's remains were discovered with the help of a basil plant growing over his burial site, creating a mystical connection between the saint and nature. This unusual story has endured in local tradition for centuries and gives the crypt a depth that goes beyond its religious role.
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