Churches & Places of Worship

Along the road to Casalcassinese of Acquafondata there is a special votive shrine that dates back to the nineteenth century with a painted majolica image.

The image is protected by a small roof with tiles and in the past it was the stop of all passers-by.

The church of Santa Maria in Centumcellis is located on the road that connects with Casalcassinese hamlet of Acquafondata and is the oldest in the area.

It has preserved its original medieval appearance when it was probably founded by the Benedictine monks.

A local legend says that its foundation is directly due to the presence of the Madonna who was on her way with Saint Antonino.

Our Lady is said to have stopped nearby, leaving the imprint of her knee on a stone and then stopped right in the place where the church was later built.

Saint Antonino is supposed to have then continued the journey to Viticuso where he later became the patron saint of this town.

Near this church there was a first war cemetery for the Polish soldiers who were later all moved to the large cemetery dedicated to them in Montecassino.

The church of San Rocco is located in the centre of Acquafondata and dates back to the seventeenth century.

It had been was placed near the entrance gate to the village.

In fact, the churches of San Rocco were usually located near the entrance to towns.

They had to protect the populations from the plague and other contagious diseases that were brought by foreigners.

Here and in the nearby hospital, foreigners with problems spent quarantine.

The sanctuary of the Madonna del Carmine of Acquafondata is a small church with a nearby chapel along the road to the Val Comino.

It is immersed in the woods of lime and coniferous trees and was built in 1841.

It has a simple façade that leads into a unique setting with an elegant marble altar.

In the nearby small chapel, on the other hand, there is an altar in plaster and in its background a high relief that tells the story of the apparition.

In fact, the church was built on the spot where the Madonna appeared to Nicolina Carcillo and near the altar you can see all the ex votos (offerings) of thanks by the faithful.

Despite its size, this sanctuary has been a destination for pilgrimages for many centuries.

Every year here the Madonna del Carmine is celebrated with a large religious and social festival.

Near the church there is an park area and paths that lead up to the top of the nearby hills.

The church of St. Anthony of Padua is located in the hamlet Casalcassinese of Acquafondata.

It dates back to 1856 thanks to the contribution of King Ferdinando II who then governed the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

The façade is in a simple neoclassic style with a carved marble entrance door, a marble string course and a large central window that illuminates the interior.

The interior has a single nave and has two side altars dedicated to the patrons.

Next to the façade there is a not very tall bell tower that ends with a pyramid-shaped roof.

The church of St. John the Baptist of Acquafondata dates back to the eleventh century when the village around the castle was initiated.

It was mentioned for the first time in a document by Lucio III of 1182.

It was probably dedicated to St. John because the Benedictine monks loved the image of this saint who transmitted modesty, humility, recognition of the good and ability to get involved and work.

The structure has undergone renovations over the centuries, first for the great earthquake of Cassino in 1349.

Then in the eighteenth century to create the baroque transformation of its interior.

The latest restoration dates back to post-war reconstruction and that after the 1984 earthquake.

The interior has three naves and the central one ends with a beautiful baroque altar of the Neapolitan school.

Here is a copy of the image of the Black Madonna of Czestochowa donated by Pope John Paul II who was deeply devoted to her.

The church of Saint Roch - San Rocco in Morolo dates back to the Middle Ages and was then renovated in 1576 in a sixteenth-century style with a particular octagonal plan.

Originally this church was dedicated to Saints Sebastian and Rocco and is located outside the town, in the locality of Selva di Varico in the municipality of Morolo.

In fact, almost every town has a small church dedicated to these saints which was built at the entrance to the city and the purpose was to invoke the protection of these saints to defend themselves from the plague.

The church of Saint Peter in Morolo dates back to the 11th century and was enlarged in the 18th century due to the increase in population.

In the nineteenth century a bell tower was added and in 1892 an oval niche was created in the center of the tympanum of the facade to house the half-bust of St. Peter.

This sculpture is the work of the master Ernesto Biondi and is the only gift to the country of the artist who was born in Morolo and became famous all over the world for his skill and the strong impact of his works.