The church of Santa Maria in Vivario is the ancient cathedral of Frascati, built around the 8th and 9th centuries on the remains of a Roman villa attributed to Lucullus.
In 1296 the first restoration works were carried out, and in 1305 the famous Romanesque bell tower was erected on the back of the church.
On 11 May 1495 the church was reconsecrated after the restoration work financed by the Estoutevilles, then feudal lords of Frascati.
While the town was invaded by the plague in 1656, two frescoes came to light in the church reproducing Saints Roch and Sebastian, who on 28 January 1656 were proclaimed protectors of Frascati.
The church was renamed in honor of St Roch and today the two names of Santa Maria in Vivario and St Roch coexist to indicate the same church.
The structure has three naves divided by beautiful spur stone columns and the altar is a magnificent early Christian sarcophagus found in the Camaldoli wood.
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