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The Chapel of the Flagellants in Roccagiovine: Frescoes and Mysteries in Piazza Vacuna
The Chiesetta dei Flagellanti overlooks Piazza Vacuna, in the heart of Roccagiovine. The exterior is modest — a single-pitched roof, a bell gable, and that’s it. Inside, it's a completely different story: Gothic cross vaults, slender arches, and frescoes from the 14th and 17th centuries adorning the walls.
A name that tells the story of the Black Death
Little is known about its origins. According to some accounts, it was built by the Orsini family, who had their names on most of the castles in the area. The name, however, is the most interesting part: the Flagellants were a religious movement that invoked penance as the only salvation from the Black Death, which in those years had decimated the population in the valley. In 1349, the Church declared them heretics — yet this little church still bears their name.
The Nativity scene
The space is intimate and elegant, and during the Christmas season the church becomes even more evocative thanks to the Nativity scene set up inside.
Practical information
The church is located in Piazza Vacuna, 00020 Roccagiovine (RM).
