This content was automatically translated. View the original text.
Church of St John Evangelist in Grotte di Castro: the ancient soul of a modern church
The Church of San Giovanni Evangelista is located in Grotte di Castro, in the heart of the Tuscia Viterbese area. At first glance, it is a modern building. Yet its history goes back to the Middle Ages and a previous place of worship destroyed in the distant year of 1144. This duality — a 20th-century body with a soul nearly a thousand years old — makes it a uniquely compelling place.
A history of destruction and rebirth
The original church was lost during a war between Acquapendente and Orvieto. A void that lasted centuries. But the community never forgot. Bishop Fiorino Tagliaferri laid the first stone for the new construction, in 1987, a gesture that mended a tear in the historic fabric of the town. The building was inaugurated in 1993.
The church today
Upon entering, one immediately notices the distinctive octagonal floor plan, with light filtering through the stained-glass windows. The atmosphere is intimate and silent. Inside, several terracotta works by the Acquapendente sculptor Mario Vinci can be admired — an artist capable of interpreting the spirituality of the place through a contemporary language. This detail connects the church to the surrounding territory.
The church is located in the newer part of the town, along Regional Road 74. Entry is free. As it is an active place of worship, opening hours coincide with religious celebrations, and may vary. For a visit, it is advisable to contact the parish or the Diocese of Viterbo.
