Grotta di San Biagio, Cave church in Castellammare di Stabia, Italy.
Grotta di San Biagio is an excavated cave in Castellammare di Stabia that stretches approximately 27 meters long and 3 meters wide. The interior is organized into an entrance hall, a central nave with four niches along the sides, and an apse at the far end.
The cave started as a Roman tuff quarry before being transformed into a Paleochristian cemetery between the 5th and 7th centuries for a noble family. This shift from stone extraction to sacred burial ground shows how the space was repurposed over time.
The walls hold layers of frescoes, including a Byzantine-style Madonna with Child from the 8th century. These paintings show the religious art that was important to those who gathered in this underground space.
Access to the cave has been restricted since 1695 when a bishop closed it due to criminal activities in the area. Visitors interested in the site should check local information beforehand, as current conditions and visiting possibilities may vary.
Archaeological digs in 1950 uncovered numerous Christian burials with Roman tiles, revealing that the cave served as a burial ground across different time periods. These findings show how Romans and early Christians used the same location for their respective needs.
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