Rupestrian Churches of San Giacomo I and II

Nestled on the edge of the Laterza gravina, the churches of San Giacomo I and II are superimposed on each other, carved into the tuff rock face at different elevations. The date of their foundation is unknown, but it certainly predates 1544, the year when the semi-subterranean church, San Giacomo II, was consecrated.\n\nThe cavity of San Giacomo II consists of a single rectangular hall and is now exposed to the open sky following the collapse of the original vault; inside, only a few illegible traces of mural paintings remain.\n\nIn contrast, the adjacent San Giacomo I, the older one, is almost entirely frescoed: on the apse wall, the image of the titular saint dominates, alongside other minor figures depicting a blessing saint and Saint John the Baptist.\n\nOn the left nave is illustrated the scene of the Last Judgment, while along the first bay of the right nave is frescoed the Miracle of San Giacomo in favor of the three pilgrims heading to the Sanctuary of Compostela.