CASTEL SANT'ELIA. - Commune in the province of Viterbo near Nepi, in the ancient Suppentonia valley. It seems that s. Benedetto founded a monastery there; from the ancient church there remain ambos and other fragmentary marble furnishings of the 9th century. The present structure dates from an imprecisely determined period, between the end of the 10th and the beginning of the 11th century, and was restored, with some arbitrary alterations, by Vespignani under Pio IX.
It is a basilican building with three naves divided by columns and arches, and a transept as high as the central nave; without introducing any innovation, it takes up, with a changed sense of proportion, the Early Christian forms used in Rome throughout the Middle Ages. Beneath the presbytery extends a spacious crypt, covered with vaults; beside it is an older chapel. Of great interest are the paintings in the apse basin with the Christ in glory and those in the transept, depicting a series of episodes relating to the apocalyptic visions. Works of notable chromatic refinement and exquisite elegance of outline, stylistically dependent on the paintings of the lower church of S. Clemente in Roma, they are the work of the Roman brothers Giovanni and Stefano and their nephew Nicolò.
The present parish church preserves the most remarkable Italian collection of medieval sacred vestments and hangings (from the 12th century onward). The sanctuary of S. Maria ad Rupea was restored by mons. G. Döbbing, bishop of Sutri. - Vedi Tav. LVIII.