Itinera Romanica+/south

Thanks to the itineraries mapped and enhanced by the Itinera Romanica + project, it is possible to follow ancient paths that lead to the discovery of the heritage Romanesque Minor churches spread throughout the territory. Parish churches, monasteries, hermitages, the parish church of Sant'Andrea in Gattaiola, the parish church of Santo Stefano Protomartire in Pozzuolo, the church of Sant'Andrea in Meati, the Spelonca Hermitage, and other sacred buildings stood in isolated locations, often on high ground, from which it was possible to maintain a visual overview of the territory. This decentralized location proved "central" both as a reference point for spiritual life and for military strategic purposes; and it was also dictated by the need to maximize the natural resources (stone, wood, water) of vast domains.

The same pilgrimage routes led to places of particular devotion, often decreeing their fortune. Frequently the sacred buildings located in the vicinity of these routes were subjected to Middle Ages a particular development: born as small chapels, they were then enlarged and enriched with rooms intended to welcome pilgrims, thus configuring themselves as stops – for rest and refreshment, both material and spiritual – on the pilgrimage.