| The Coelimanna crypt is on the Supersano ridge, inside the town cemetery.
Dug entirely out of the rock, it is a single long room, the naos, with the “bema” area at the end, where the original altar would have stood. The two parts of the church are divided by the two pillars that have been carved out of the rock.
The crypt’s importance is due to the pictures in it which belong to three different epochs. As you go in the oldest frescoes are on your right, these date back to the 11th -12th century and have Greek inscriptions.
The first saint is Saint Andrew, dressed in a tunic and pallium typical of the apostles; next to him is a monk saint, perhaps Saint Michael Syncellus, who holds a cross in his right hand and a stick in his left hand.
Moving on you can see the paintings on the two pillars beneath the arch, dating to the end of the 12th and the 13th century.
On the right hand column you can see Saint Laurence who is swinging incense with his right hand and holding a pyx (cyborium) decorated with a jewelled cross in his left.
On the left hand column you can make out a figure which may be that of Saint Stephen, usually associated with Laurence.
Continuing along the left hand wall there are frescoes from the 14th century. A throned Christ is portrayed holding a book with the Latin inscription “I am the light of the world”. Next to him are Saint John the Evangelist, Saint Nicholas and Saint John the Baptist.
The Renaissance frescoes and the more recent frescoes on the other walls of the crypt are proof that it has been constantly in use throughout the ages.
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