Cave dei Santi

The Cave dei Santi is one of the most striking cave churches in Cava d’Ispica, chiselled into the limestone rock and consisting of a main nave (9.4×5.5 m ca.) and a smaller side room, possibly a sacristy. The interior walls house a cycle of Byzantine paintings with more than 30 figures of saints and bishops, depicted in half-length on a blue background, with gilded nimbuses: although the faces have been disfigured in search of coins, the images remain clearly legible. Remains of Greek inscriptions and identifications of figures such as St Lucia or St Helena confirm the cave’s role as a Byzantine sanctuary between the 4th and 6th centuries, with uses extending into the Norman era. Located halfway through the Archaeological Park, the Grotta dei Santi now offers an immersive experience between nature and history: a place of worship, a pictorial testimony and an ideal excursion destination for those who enjoy unconventional archaeology. The lack of signposts and the deterioration of the paintings add to its “hidden” charm, although they impose care and protection during the visit.