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The Basilica of Sant'Elia

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Information:
For visits, contact the Convent dei Padri Michaeliti.
Tel: 0761-557729
For all other touristic information contact the Municipal of Sant'Elia.
Tel: 0761-556425
Web Site: www.comunecastelsantelia.it
E-mail: info@comunecastelsantelia.it

The Basilica of Sant'Elia is found in the the town of the same name, in the valley of Suppentonia, in an isolated and impressive position, protected by a tuffaceous cliff.
In the 4th century this valley, where the church is now found, hosted the very first form of Christian monasticism; in fact, in the rocky habitations, the first Anchorites settled, lavishing in the diffusion of the hermitic lifestyle in the western world.
The primitive church was built in the 8th century on the site of what was a Benedictine monastery (520 A.D.), built on the ruins of an ancient pagan temple (the Etruscans dedicated it to the god Falacro, while the Romans dedicated it to Diana the hunter).
The present structure is fruit of a reconstruction of the 11th century wanted by the abbot Elia and cited with various papal bills (for example the bill of Innocenza III in 1211 who included it among the properties of the Roman basilica of Saint Paul outside the walls).
The adverse happenings that struck the basilica of Sant'Elia include a landslide of a mass from the neighbouring rock in 1607 which led to the partial reconstruction of the left wall belonging to the powerful Farnese family at the time.
After having passed a long period of abandonment it was rediscovered and restructured by the architect Vespignani during the pontificate of Pope Pius IX (1846-1878), while the restorations of the frescoes and the roof date back to the last century (1960), the three doors on the façade (1994) and the mosaic pavement (1997).

The church possesses a Roman floor plan with the architectonic motif tainted by Lombard influences.
The inside is subdivided in three naves with an elevated transept covered with a beamed roof; the naves are separated by bare columns with different capitals; to note are surely the ambos, redone with remains of the antique School of Cantorum (the communion altar of the presbytery dates back to the VIII-IX century) and the particular ciborium supported by four columns set above the altar.
In the central nave and in the elevated transept we can appreciate remnants of the cosmic pavement; the apse and the right side of the transept are decorated with frescoes of a Byzantine model, executed in the XI century by a family of Roman painters ( Giovanni, Stefano and Niccolò) and represent Christological scenes from episodes of the Apocalypse and scenes relative to the life of Saint Anastasio.
The crypt is found under the area of the transept and apse and is subdivided in two parts adjoining them: the first, covered in vaults and barrels, conserve the bodies of Saint Nonnoso, the second, the tomb of Saint Anastasio.
The essential façade in tufa, dating back to the XII century, repeats the internal subdivision of three naves with the central one elevated, and is decorated with blind arches and three unlined doors in white marble, surmounted with lunettes; next to the façade there once was a 1260 bell tower, lost in 1855, built by the rectors of Santo Spirito in Sassia.

How to get there:
From Rome take the State highway SS 2 Cassia to Minterosi, turning towards Nepi at the intersection, following on in the direction of Castel Sant'Elia. You will reach the Basilica going down out of the historical center towards the low valley.
From the Autostrada A1, take the Magliano Sabina exit and follow indications for Civita Castellana than taking the provincial highway SP 77 (taking you to Nepi) up to the intersection to Castel Sant'Elia.