Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre and Crypt

According to legend, the queen stopped in Acquapendente whilst travelling to Rome with mules carrying gold to build a sanctuary. The mules knelt and refused to move, prompting the queen to build the basilica there. The basilica dates back to the 12th century and was originally built with an adjoining convent in a Romanesque style, belonging to the Benedictine order. 

The current appearance of the church is the result of numerous interventions: the façade, dating back to the 18th century, is the work of Nicola Salvi (the architect of the Trevi Fountain in Rome) but was partly modified due to damage during the last war. The façade features a bust of Pope Innocent X Pamphili. The original, a work of Alessandro Algardi, is kept in the Museum of the City. Innocent X is credited with the transfer of the diocese to Acquapendente after the destruction of Castro. Internally, the church has a Latin cross plan with three naves and the presbytery is raised to leave space for the crypt below. 

The basilica’s crypt, supported by 24 columns with cross-vaults, holds a shrine that is considered the world’s oldest copy of Jesus’ tomb. The basilica, with its Romanesque architecture, remains an important pilgrimage site along the Via Francigena, with a history rich in legends and architectural transformations that have defined its current appearance.