| The cave church of Santa Croce has medieval origins. It was probably carved in the eighth century in a big block tuff, along with several other caves that surround it (perhaps in the past engaged in monastic cells). The church has three aisles, and a vault obtained from the excavation of the rock, is supported by four pillars of tuff trapezoidal. Considerable importance is the set of surviving frescoes. They seem to have been painted in a systematic way according to a precise iconographic program and can be seen in some parts up to three superimposed layers of plaster, which should be part of a decoration estendetesi throughout the entire surface of the tuff. Analyzing the main frescoes, we can appreciate a language expressed by a Byzantine Christ Crucified with the Virgin, S. John the Evangelist and Mary Magdalene in reaching out to the ground. It 'can be seen on either side of the crypt, the remains of a "Annunciation" with an archangel on the left and on the other hand, the Virgin Mary "crossed arms and the mantle, originally blue, two inward depictions of saints: St. Dorothy and St. Leonard of Noblac, the latter portrayed in attitudes typical of Byzantine culture. the saint depicted on the pier, San Leonardo recurs frequently in the paintings, because they are particularly dear to the family of Francis II of Dodge. The church is decorated with frescoes depicting scenes from the "Legend of the Cross", very strong color, which date from the thirteenth-fourteenth century. At present it to visitors insulated on all four sides, the margins of the modern. |