Page 24 - SAINT HADRIAN’S CHURCH

Adriano Mazziotti

At a short distance from the church, there are two more
places to be seen: the monks’ fountain, which ones supplied
the monastic community with water (on Easter night
associated with the so-called rite of “the silent water or
stealing the water”), and the granite column topped by a
cross, indicating the site - called "The Cross" - where the
saint hermit used to gather and pray with his brothers
before the day left the place to the evening.

Finally, do not miss a visit to a highly suggestive place
surrounded by the open farmland and about 1 kilometer
from the church: St. Nilus’ cave.

It is an ancient hermitage sanctuary of which only the
derelict, agelong and
ruined walls are left,
neglected by all the
competent Authorities
for ages; built by the
monks of St. Hadrian’s
abbey in the memory
of St. Nilus, with a
caretaker monk’s small
cell attached.

The most interesting artistic element is an evanescent fresco
depicting St. Nilus to pray in a cave opposite Christ on the
cross. The time, the weathering and even the destructive
work of man have faded and ruined the ancient fresco
dating back to 1500 or 1600.

In 1794, as already mentioned, the monks living in the
monastery were moved to other monasteries in Calabria
following the transfer of the “Collegio Corsini" from San

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