The church of St. Jerome in Arpino is located on the southern slope of Mount Civitavecchia and it was for a long time a place for hermits.
It is located along the ancient trail blazed by the slaves of Cicero who were brought to the Acropolis. It is a landmark of the landscape.
The original building dates back to the thirteenth and fourteenth century and was known as the 'Church of St. Mary of Nazareth’, or ‘Church of Madonna of St. Jerome'.
Legend has it that it was built by enlarging a small chapel built on the site of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin.
Until 1700 the church was still only a small cave adorned with paintings and an altar where especially pregnant women went to pray, and on May 1 a special mass was celebrated.
In 1836 it was enlarged and a 'Scala Santa' was built for plenary and partial indulgences, which worshippers went up to their knees and then came down by two side stairs.
Inside, above the central altar there are the relics of St. Vittorino Martyr.
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