Ruins of the Church: "San Cesario alle Prebende"

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According to local tradition, San Cesario's body, after suffering martyrdom, was laid to rest in a valley in Terracina, specifically in an area known as "Agro Varano," where the wealthy Vari family once resided during Roman times. The Vari family had converted to Christianity, and they built a basilica dedicated to the Saint on the site of his burial, which became known as "Santa Maria ad Martyres." This was Terracina's first and most significant place of worship since the early days of Christianity in the city and surrounding areas. As a result, the church quickly grew into a large cemetery from the Roman era. The Terracinese people clearly wanted to be buried near their beloved Saint. At the end of the Middle Ages, however, this church began to decline, leaving behind only the remnants of its southern wall, visible in this 3D graphic. Despite its decline, the area surrounding the remains of the church still features a vast necropolis that was used from Roman times until the late Middle Ages.