Tempio di San Fantino, Church and museum in Taureana di Palmi, Italy

The Tempio di San Fantino in Taureana di Palmi combines an 1857 church built by abbot Pietro Militano, remains of a 6th–8th-century Byzantine basilica with two apses and floors, and walls of a 1552 church rebuilt by count Pietro Antonio Spinelli. Beneath stands the crypt of San Fantino, a barrel-vaulted room with four blind arches per long wall and brick stamps reading TAYPIANOIM.

The crypt was found by chance in 1952 during excavations in the abandoned church. The 19th-century church was built in 1857 by abbot Pietro Militano after the 1783 earthquake destroyed the previous one. The medieval church was rebuilt in 1552 by Count Pietro Antonio Spinelli, and the Byzantine basilica dates from the 6th to 8th centuries.

The crypt's walls were once frescoed: in 1952 figures of Saint John Chrysostom, Saints Basil and Gregory were still visible, now largely erased. Bricks carry factory stamps reading "TAYPIANOIM" and "APMOAICKOY", and fourth-century inscriptions point to Christian burials. The bios of Saint Fantino describes a lower tomb where water flowed, still considered blessed and miraculous.

The building now functions as a museum where you can view archaeological finds and religious objects from different periods. The underground sections require caution due to uneven floors and may not always be completely accessible.

The crypt's walls carry brick stamps reading "TAYPIANOIM" and "APMOAICKOY", and a trapezoidal opening at the top of the rear wall was the inner end of a water conduit feeding the chamber from outside. Fourth-century inscriptions suggest the room was used as a Christian burial place.