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The Templars' Cave or Selvascura Cave — Bassiano
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The Templars' Cave or Selvascura Cave

The presence of the monks-knights would be evidenced by what for centuries has been commonly called, by the locals, the "Cave of the Templars" or the Cave of Selvascura. From the present Sanctuary of the Crucifix one enters through a dark and narrow corridor: it is a natural cave...

The Templars' Cave or Selvascura Cave — Bassiano, Italy.

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Bassiano
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Other
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About The Templars' Cave or Selvascura Cave

The Templars' Cave or Selvascura Cave - Bassiano | Secret World Trip Planner

The presence of the monks-knights would be evidenced by what for centuries has been commonly called, by the locals, the "Cave of the Templars" or the Cave of Selvascura. From the present Sanctuary of the Crucifix one enters through a dark and narrow corridor: it is a natural cave of almost rectangular shape, with completely frescoed walls. Thirteen panels and a niche can be distinguished, dating from around the fifteenth century but in late fourteenth-century taste, unfortunately much deteriorated by the dripping water. Starting from the right wall for those who enter, we recognize: the Madonna and Child, Mary Magdalene, the Annunciation, the Crucifixion, a character on a ladder pierced by an arrow, a scene of animals, Christ blessing with four saints (from left: St. Leonard, St. James, St. Francis and Pope Leo IX), a boar suckling her cubs, some prisoners intent on freeing themselves from their chains (curious!), San Leonardo, the Madonna della Palma, and San Tommaso skeptic.In the niche, finally, you can see San Giorgio e il drago, San Nicola di Bari and Sant'Antonio Abate, while on the ceiling is a more recent painting depicting San Michele (19th century). Continuing from the ancient hermitage we come to a circular chapel, built specifically to house the Crucifix by Pietrosanti.

The Templars' Cave or Selvascura Cave - Bassiano | Secret World Trip Planner
The Templars' Cave or Selvascura Cave - Bassiano | Secret World Trip Planner
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Frequently Asked Questions

The cave is accessed through the present Sanctuary of the Crucifix, where you enter via a dark and narrow corridor. This natural cave of almost rectangular shape contains completely frescoed walls and leads to a circular chapel that houses a Crucifix by Pietrosanti.
The cave features thirteen panels and a niche with religious frescoes dating from the fifteenth century in late fourteenth-century style, including depictions of the Madonna and Child, the Crucifixion, Mary Magdalene, various saints (Leonard, James, Francis, and Pope Leo IX), and San Giorgio e il drago. The ceiling contains a more recent 19th-century painting of San Michele, though many frescoes have deteriorated due to water dripping.
The cave, commonly called the 'Cave of the Templars' by locals, is believed to be evidence of the presence of monks-knights in the area. The frescoes and artwork dating from the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries indicate it served as a sacred hermitage space with religious significance.
The frescoes covering the cave's walls have unfortunately suffered significant deterioration over the centuries due to persistent water dripping from the cave's natural formation. Despite this damage, visitors can still distinguish the thirteen panels and niche containing the religious artwork.
Among the curious and distinctive frescoes are unusual scenes including a character on a ladder pierced by an arrow, animals suckling cubs, and prisoners freeing themselves from chains—uncommon iconography that makes this cave's artistic collection particularly noteworthy. Don't miss the niche featuring San Giorgio e il drago and San Nicola di Bari, representing different artistic themes from typical medieval religious art.

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