Chiesa di San Rocco

The church of San Rocco, like the nearby Sanctuary of Bassanella, stands on the site of very ancient sacred spaces and may refer to pre-Christian cultures.

The Church of San Rocco specifically was built in the 15th century on the grounds of an ancient Roman cemetery, outside the walls, probably during one of the periodic epidemics that occurred in that century. It is a simple chapel that contains a fresco depicting the Saint.

In 1521 (the date can be seen under the eave of the right wall), the church was enlarged. In the 16th century, a Confraternity dedicated to San Rocco commissioned Francesco Morone to paint the altarpiece, placed on the altar (later moved to the parish church for fear it could be stolen), dated March 24th, 1529, depicting the Saint.

In 1890 it was remodeled by the architect abbot Gottardi, who turned the facade from west to east; the floor was lowered to the level of the external roadway. The bell tower with its slender and beautifully made terracotta domed roof remained intact.

The interior of the small church, extremely sober, houses several tombs. There is an altar dedicated to Saint Anne.

Behind the church, the cemetery has been located there at least since 1630, the year of the plague, which was then disused.