Church of Saint Hippolyte and Saint Cassien in Arghjusta Muricciu

16th century church

Built on a rocky promontory before reaching Muricciu, the parish church of Saint Hippolyte and Saint Cassian - Sant'Ippolitu è San Cassianu - is thought to date from the second half of the 16th century. Along with the chapel of Santa Lucia, it is the commune's two religious buildings. Some of the architectural elements, such as the modillions, are thought to have been borrowed from the chapel, which is now in ruins.

At the entrance, the lintel bears the date 1461. The bell tower bears the date 1787. In 1903, the commune paid an architect to draw up a plan and estimate for the construction of a new church, a project that unfortunately came to nothing.

A plaque indicates that the building was restored in 1982.

Dedicated to two martyrs from the 3rd and 4th centuries

The church is dedicated to Saint Hyppolite of Rome, a priest who was martyred and died in 235, during the reign of Maximin I the Thracian.

Saint Cassian - Cassius - was a schoolmaster in the 4th century, condemned to death by the governor of Imola in Italy. The governor ordered his pupils to kill him, lacerating him to death with their punches, so that the weaker their hands, the longer the martyr's torture would be.

Inside the Church

The interior of the church retains its original features, such as the Rosary chapel. It is majestically adorned with sculptures, inscriptions, statues and religious paintings, one of which depicts the church's patron saints, Saint Hippolytus, Saint Cassian and Saint Lucy, as well as Archbishop Charles Borromeo.

A beautiful Baroque processional cross also hangs on the wall.