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Piazzetta di Pietra Sprecata in Subiaco: an unexpected medieval corner in Lazio
In the centre of Subiaco, a small square opens up that seems frozen in time. Piazzetta di Pietra Sprecata is a concentration of medieval architecture, and bears a curious name. The origin of the toponym is uncertain; it is thought that "Pietra Sprecata" is an approximate translation of the dialectal name "'Mprestecata", whose original meaning has been lost. This place is an authentic cross-section of local history, fundamental if one wishes to understand the town, and one of the must-see spots in Subiaco for history lovers.
A building that tells centuries of history
The main building in the square, with its mullioned windows — the typical twin windows separated by a small column — is among the oldest in the town. In 1456 Cardinal Giovanni Torquemada lived here, sent by Pope Callixtus III. It was he who wrote the city's first statute. Looking at the walls, one can notice the marks of time on the cardellina stone, a local rock, and small Gothic arches.
The shrine and the miracle of 1796
Beneath a small sloping roof, a wayside shrine protects a fresco of the Madonna della Pietà (Our Lady of Mercy). It is an image held very dear by the local people. According to local tradition, on 19 July 1796 the Madonna's eyes moved. An event considered miraculous, and one that has made this corner even more significant for the community. Alongside it, another 14th-century fresco depicts the Saviour between Saints Benedict and Francis.
The piazzetta is a public space, and is always open in the historic centre of Subiaco.
