Viterbo. Church of Santa Maria in Poggio known as the Crocetta

The medieval church of Santa Maria in Poggio in Viterbo is known as the Crocetta dates back to the 11th century.

It takes its name from the fact that it was built on a small hill (poggio).

The 'Crocetta' name derives from the cross drawn on the tunic of the monks who have been guarding it since 1603.

In the small cemetery next to this church the body of Santa Rosa was buried.

Then it was dug up by Pope Alexander IV who wanted to move it to a larger church, today the sanctuary of Santa Rosa.

From the procession of this transfer in 1258 comes the procession that is still celebrated every beginning of September and that was declared a World Heritage Site event by UNESCO.

Because of its position on a slope, the church is accessed through a double staircase that starts from a medieval square where the Crocetta Fountain is located.

The helicoidal double ramp staircase dates back to 1738.

The church was destroyed by the bombings of the Second World War and was then faithfully rebuilt outside while inside is a more modern style.