| The Crypt of the Redentore is one of the most important monuments of the New Town. It is an ancient burial chamber located in Via Terni. It is accessible via an ancient well of spring water that leads into a cave of a circular shape with a diameter of about eight meters. The inner walls are decorated with frescos of great artistic value dating to the early 12th century. The crypt was part of the Church of Santa Maria di Murivetere, closed for worship in 1578 by Bishop Lelio Brancaccio.
The crypt is an archaeological site of Roman Imperial period of great historical interest: the legend of its cristian conversion says that in the carved room was celebrated the first Christian worship officiated by St. Peter. The frescoes represent "Christ Pantocrator between St. John and the Virgin" in the apse, and "St. Paul", "Sant'Euplo" and "St. Stephen" on the side walls.
After the thirteenth century the vault was abandoned for several centuries, probably because too peripheral to the city, until its rediscovery in 1899 by archaeologist Luigi Viola, while performing some work on his property and inaugurated on February 13 of 1900. In March of 1979, thanks to a petition of the Archbishop of Taranto Monsignor William Motolese, it was decided to take action for its recovery, creating works of consolidation, but the crypt is still awaiting recovery of frescoes and not be visited. |