Santa Maria ad Cryptas, Romanesque church in Fossa, Italy
Santa Maria ad Cryptas is a Romanesque church featuring a Gothic pointed portal flanked by pillars decorated with rosettes and floral patterns. The interior is covered with multiple layers of frescoes that show different periods of artistic work from various hands.
The site began as a sacred building in the 10th century with early Christian and Byzantine characteristics. In the 14th century, Benedictine craftsmen added Gothic and Cistercian elements that gave the structure much of its current appearance.
The interior walls hold frescoes created by different artistic traditions, reflecting how this place was shaped by people from various regions over time. These layers of decoration show the different communities that invested in the church's spiritual life across centuries.
The church sits roughly one kilometer from the village center and is reachable from nearby roads. After remaining closed due to earthquake damage, the building underwent restoration and is now open to visitors.
The interior frescoes include a calendar depicting monthly farming work from medieval times. These detailed images offer an unexpected look at the daily routines and labor practices of people who lived in this region centuries ago.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
