Catacomba di Santa Savinilla, archäologische Stätte in Italien
The Catacomba di Santa Savinilla is an underground burial complex carved into tufa rock dating from the 4th to 5th century, with large interconnected corridors that branch into multiple passages beneath the town of Nepi. The walls feature various types of burials including arched niches called arcosoli, shelf tombs called loculi, and floor burials called forme, with some decorated with late-antique frescoes that show religious imagery.
The catacombs were created in the early Christian period from the 4th to 5th century when Christian communities built underground burial sites because they were forbidden from burying their dead in public spaces. The site gained renewed attention in 1540 when construction of city walls led to the discovery of intact bodies of martyrs, a find that Pope Paul III officially recognized and elevated to sacred significance.
The name Santa Savinilla comes from a legend about a woman who collected the bodies of martyrs for burial. The catacombs served the early Christian community as a place for both burial and prayer, where people gathered to remember the dead and express their faith through simple inscriptions and religious symbols left on the walls.
Access to the catacombs is through the Church of San Tolomeo above the site, designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger to house the sacred relics. Visits require advance booking through the Museo Civico Archeologico di Nepi, and guided tours are available only on weekends with hours varying by season, so it is important to contact the museum beforehand to confirm times.
A remarkable discovery occurred in 1540 when intact bodies of martyrs with visible wounds were found during construction, regarded as miraculous and prompting Pope Paul III to visit the site personally. This unexpected find led to the building of a dedicated church to house the sacred remains and restored religious importance to a place that had been forgotten for centuries.
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