Description of the attraction
Sant'Angelo in Formis is an abbey in the commune of Capua, located on the western slope of Monte Tifata. It was once known as “ad arkum Dianae”, which means “near the Arch of Diana”, as it was built on the ruins of the ancient Roman temple of Diana. Today this abbey is considered one of the most important medieval monuments of Campania.
As mentioned above, the first church on this site was built on the ruins of the temple of Diana in the 6th or 7th century. Later, a monastery was added to it, which now does not exist. In the 11th century, the Church of Sant'Angelo came under the control of the Abbey of Monte Cassino and was rebuilt and re-decorated at the initiative of the abbot Desiderius. True, the decoration of the portico dates back to the end of the 12th century.
Inside the church is made according to the plan of the basilica, but without the transept. The three naves are separated by two rows of columns with Corinthian capitals and end with three semicircular apses. There is a bell tower to the south of the church, the exact date of its construction cannot be determined. And the facade of the church is preceded by a portico with five arches.
Desiderius had close ties with the court of Constantinople and therefore invited Byzantine artists to decorate the interiors of the church. Unfortunately, little has survived from those mosaics to the present day, one can only assume that they completely covered the walls of the building. On the tympanum, above the main entrance, you can see the image of the Archangel Michael, to whom the abbey is dedicated, dressed in Byzantine attire. Above, in the medallion, is the image of the Virgin Mary with two angels. There is also an image of Christ sitting on a throne and holding a book in his hand. Scenes from the life of Christ are also found in the central nave, and the side chapels are decorated with scenes from the Old Testament. The entire western wall of the church is occupied by the image of the Last Judgment.
