Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Italy Monteleone Sabino Sanctuary of Santa Vittoria

Sanctuary of Santa Vittoria

This Romanesque church is built over the tomb of a martyr who legend says defeated a dragon.

Monteleone Sabino, Italy

Added By
Jan Claus Di Blasio
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Santa Vittoria Church.   Patafisik/cc by-sa 3.0
A lion on the facade.   DEA / S. VANNINI / Getty
Stone relief in the shape of a face on the facade.   DEA / S. VANNINI / Getty
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Hidden among the olive groves and hills of Sabina is the Romanesque church of Santa Vittoria. This medieval structure tells a remarkable tale of religious fervor and piety.

The church, dating in its present state to the late 12th century, was built over a shrine founded around the cult of Saint Victoria, a Christian martyr from the third century. Victoria, who refused to marry a pagan patrician, was exiled to Sabina, where she performed a miracle.

Legend says she chased away a dragon that was threatening the inhabitants of Trebula Mutuesca in return for their conversion. She was then denounced as a Christian to the authorities in Rome and was murdered for refusing to adore an idol of Diana. Local tradition says she was buried in the cave originally occupied by the dragon, which is the present site of the Church of Santa Vittoria.

Traces of an older history are visible on the facade and exterior walls of the building where, among the marble and stone revetments, spolia dating back to Roman times and the earlier Middle Ages are clearly visible. One such feature is a lion and a face that might be that of Helios, the Sun god. Many of these were probably salvaged (or pillaged) from the nearby archaeological site of Trebula Mutuesca, originally a Sabine town conquered by the Romans.

A marble portal, crowned by the figure of the Agnus Dei, leads into the nave of the church. Some frescoes are still visible inside, including a painting of the saint herself. In the 15th century, the Orsini family, the lords of these territories, reconstructed the damaged church.

The church is built over a short section of catacombs, where a sarcophagus is still visible. Deeper below is a network of recently discovered water channels that may suggest the site could have been previously used in pre-Christian times as a sacred spring.

Related Tags

Churches Medieval Legends Dragons Catacombs Saints Paganism Religion Sacred Spaces

Know Before You Go

As of 2019, due to a recent earthquake, the interior of the church is normally not accessible. However, the courtyard can be accessed.

The church is located on the Saint Francis pilgrimage route. The theater, baths, and Roman ruins of Trebula Mutuesca are five minutes away on foot.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Italy: Roman Carbonara, Florentine Steak & Venetian Cocktails

Savor local cuisine across Rome, Florence & Venice.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

LatiumMirabile

Edited By

Kerry Wolfe

  • Kerry Wolfe

Published

September 19, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monteleone_Sabino
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrWw_aUJwmo
Sanctuary of Santa Vittoria
Via Santa Vittoria
Monteleone Sabino, 02033
Italy
42.225812, 12.87058
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Rocca Sinibalda Castle

Rocca Sinibalda, Italy

miles away

Ruins of Antuni

Castel di Tora, Italy

miles away

Abandoned Abbey of Santa Maria del Piano

Licenza, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Italy

Italy

Europe

Places 1,064
Stories 110

Nearby Places

Rocca Sinibalda Castle

Rocca Sinibalda, Italy

miles away

Ruins of Antuni

Castel di Tora, Italy

miles away

Abandoned Abbey of Santa Maria del Piano

Licenza, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Italy

Italy

Europe

Places 1,064
Stories 110

Related Places

  • The medieval Church of Saint Nicholas.

    Ireland

    The Lost Town of Newtown Jerpoint (Jerpoint Park)

    Local legend says the remains of Father Christmas lie within the medieval grounds.

  • St Mary’s and All Saints Church, Dunsfold

    Dunsfold, England

    St Mary's and All Saints Church & Holy Well

    An ancient yew tree and holy well nestle beside a remarkable 13th-century church.

  • Delicate foliage.

    Southwell, England

    The Leaves of Southwell

    Exquisite carvings of leaves, Green Men, and the occasional dragon adorn a medieval chapter house.

  • The dragon bones seen hanging behind the altar.

    Venice, Italy

    'Dragon Bones' of Santa Maria e San Donato

    Hanging within this medieval church are the bones of a beast allegedly slain by a fourth-century saint.

  • Cathedral of St. Demetrius.

    Vladimir, Russia

    Cathedral of Saint Demetrius

    Thousands of biblical and pagan images are carved into this small 12th-century church.

  • View of the chapel and the Lake of Brennilis.

    Saint-Rivoal, France

    Mont Saint-Michel de Brasparts

    An isolated 17th-century chapel on a remarkable site once dedicated to Celtic sun worship.

  • One of the skeletons at St. Martins Church

    Aulendorf, Germany

    Skeletons of St. Martin Church

    Two elaborately decorated "catacomb saints" are displayed on either side of the altar in a small church in Germany.

  • A church altar of sculpted amber saints that seems to float at the front of the church

    Gdańsk, Poland

    St. Bridget's Church

    One of the world's largest amber altarpieces is housed within this reconstructed medieval church.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.