San Giovanni del Calandrone Sanctuary, Catholic shrine in Merlino, Italy

San Giovanni del Calandrone Sanctuary is a small church located about 400 meters southeast of Merlino, surrounded by two L-shaped porticoes that frame a central courtyard with grass. The complex houses two ancient sarcophagi positioned beneath the covered walkways.

The sanctuary was first documented in 1261 when it belonged to the parish of Sant'Eufemia di Bariano, a medieval settlement that no longer exists. This early record establishes its long-standing importance in the region's religious life.

The name comes from the Calandrone stream that runs nearby, and the shrine is dedicated to John the Baptist beside a spring held to be miraculous. A local tale tells of a sceptic who dunked his sick dog in the open sarcophagus, mocking the saint; the basin cracked on the spot, and the break is still shown to visitors.

The sanctuary sits in open countryside away from built-up areas and can be reached by the Via San Giovanni road. Good footwear is recommended since the approach crosses through fields, and conditions vary with the seasons.

Beneath the porticoes sits a partially open sarcophagus from which water flows, venerated by visitors for its healing properties. This natural spring draws people seeking its reputed effects.