| Monte San Giovanni is a low hill in the Giuggianello area which separates the small town from neighbouring village of Palmariggi.
The name of the area comes from a small rock church dedicated to Saint John (San Giovanni) which is at the top of the rise.
The church-cave dates back to medieval times and, in all likelihood, is all that remains of a large village of cave dwellers dating back to the 10th century, as the discovery of an inscription would seem to indicate.
The outside of the cave has had an entrance built on in 1721.
The crypt is completely carved out of the rock face, it is rectangular in shape divided into three naves by two pillars, at the foot of these there is a step/bench for worshippers.
A stone altar stands at the end of the main nave, where there are traces of frescoes and a portrayal of Saint John the Baptist.
Walking on Monte San Giovanni you come across large monoliths that have been naturally carved out and that for years have aroused the curiosity of tourists and scholars.
The most famous of these are the Masso della Vecchia (Old Woman’s Rock), with its mushroom like shape, the Letto della Vecchia (Old Woman’s Bed), now unfortunately ruined by vandalism and neglect and Piede di Achille (Achilles’ foot), a large rock in the shape of a foot which can be seen through the old olive groves that surround it.
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