Church of San Giovanni

Oriented to the east with an apse built of sandstone blocks, it is a modest structure by the architectural standards of the time. The aula is rectangular shaped and divided into three naves covered by tunnel vaults and the transept, a small dome supported by large pillars over the apse in the same alignment with the central nave.

The aisles connect to the central nave through three arches resting on squat pillars. The church is illuminated by three small square openings in the nave and by mullioned windows in the apse and transept. The rather somber facade is enlivened by an oculus in the center located above the front door.The core of the church, consisting of a dome in the form of Greek cross inscribed in a square, was probably built in the sixth century AD. Subsequently, between the ninth and the eleventh century, the structure underwent a radical transformation that involved the addition of the apse and the aula with the three naves and the windows.

During recent excavations, a fragment of painted plaster in brown and red on white, showing part of a veil, was discovered at the base of the apse. This element, believed to be part of a larger wall decoration, has been dated between the eighth and ninth centuries. At the same time, the remains of an earlier building with an apse facing east was found below and immediately south of the church. Because of the presence of graves in the area, including several sarcophagi still present below the floor level of this building, it was assumed that the wall remains were part of a building used for funerals in an early Christian period.