Castel Sant'Elia

This characteristic medieval town called "the site of the 15 churches" is the most famous location of worship in the province of Viterbo. Visit the small historic center going in the 16th-century wall wanted by the Farnese family and enjoy the panorama of the Suppentonia Valley from the terrace of Sant'Anna Piazza. From above, in a deep and lovely gorge, you'll see the Basilica of Sant'Elia at the bottom of the valley, a Romanesque art masterpiece that attracts visitors from all over the world. The basilica was constructed in the 8th century by a Benedictine cenoby, but it seems that even before there was a temple dedicated to Diana here. The style is that of the traditional early-Christian basilicas with interesting architectural motifs of Lombard origin. Inside you can admire the lovely pulpit, the ciborium on the high altar, and the frescoes of the apse and transept.
Unfortunately visiting hours are not available at the moment; it is, however, more likely to find the church open on the weekend than on weekdays.

Another very important place of worship of the city is the Sanctuary of Maria Santissima ad Rupes. At the end of the street of the Sanctuary, you will find a complex of buildings, which includes the basilica of San Giuseppe and the convent of the Franciscan monks of San Michele Arcangelo; from there leaves the stairway with 144 steps dug into the tufo at the end of the 18th century by the hermit, Rodio, which leads to the old rupestrian cave in which an image of the Madonna, painted in the 16th century, is held and worshiped by thousands of pilgrims.
Behind the rupestrian cave on the right is a small ramp of stairs going down which lead onto a panoramic path at mid-height of the valley. In about a 10-minute walk, the path leads to the Basilica of Sant'Elia: if you have the time and the desire to take the route, it is surely one of the most beautiful and attractive for visiting the two sacred locations.