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Church of St Roch in Castelforte: born to fight the plague, rebuilt after the war
The Church of San Rocco is located in Castelforte, in the province of Latina, outside the walls of the historic centre. Built at the end of the 16th century as a place of devotion against the plague — complete with an annexed lazaretto (leper hospital) — it was rebuilt in the 1950s after being destroyed during the Second World War.
A church to repel the plague
St Roch fell ill with the plague, and then recovered: for this reason, during the Middle Ages he was believed to heal people from the plague. The church was much frequented, because of this devotion. Throughout the 17th century plague epidemics were common and recurring, along with cholera outbreaks.
Rationalism and Baroque in the same church
After the Second World War the church was rebuilt on the same site, based on a design by architect Gaetano Rapisardi: a singular example of contemporary rationalist architecture. The building consists of a single hall, 7–8 meters high, with a façade consisting of stone and plaster. The bell tower has two open levels with visible bells, a typical spire and crowning elements. Inside, a semi-spherical glass dome floods the space with light. But the surprise lies in the Baroque altars — the main and the lateral one — salvaged from the old church, which are among the oldest works of art in the area. The antependium is covered in polychrome inlaid marble, typical of Neapolitan Baroque, and on either side of the altar stand two wooden statues: St Roch and St Sebastian.
Practical information
The church is located in Piazza San Rocco, Castelforte (LT). It can also be visited by people with disabilities.
