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Church of St Anthony Abbot in Vicovaro: a Renaissance portico overlooking the river Aniene
The Church of Sant’Antonio Abate (Saint Anthony Abbot) stands upon the ancient Roman foundations of the consular road to the south of Vicovaro, nestled between the Via Tiburtina Valeria and the river Aniene. Ashlar masonry substructures still support it today. The church was founded in the 15th century by the Confraternity of the Most Holy Cross.
One nave, three chapels, and a 16th-century crucifix
The present-day interior is the result of an enlargement planned by Pietro Torelli between 1743 and 1755. The layout features a central altar and three side chapels connected by a single corridor, leading to the sacristy. On the high altar stands a wooden crucifix from the 16th century. Also noteworthy is the polychrome terracotta statue of St Anthony Abbot, which also dates back to the 16th century.
The portico and the hospital opposite
Outside, the Renaissance portico has four coral breccia columns with Doric capitals from the Flavian era. Opposite the church stood a 16th-century hospital (now a private residence), where patients suffering from herpes zoster, or shingles, known in Italy as "St Anthony's fire", were treated.
