Former Church of San Rocco (Ex Chiesa di San Rocco)

Subjects :

Address Via Garibaldi, 14030 Rocca d'Arazzo AT, Italia

Contact points

Telefono : 0141 408144

Postal Code 14030

At the end of the terrible plague epidemic that scourged Europe in the 17th century, the people of Rocca d'Arazzo who had escaped the disease wanted to build as a vow of thanksgiving another church, which has now disappeared, dedicated to St. Roch.

It was built in 1686 near the old fortress gate, at the beginning of today's Piazza del Tamburello, and the headquarters of the Company of the Disciplined, popularly called Batì, Battuti, moved there.

The birth of this ancient congregation of penitents occurred in the second half of the 1200s when, in fear of the coming end of the world, many believers used to flagellate themselves publicly during processions, in atonement for sins. The Baptists wore a white robe cinched at the waist by a cord, had written regulations, administered the offerings and bequests that were to be used for worship, and had to maintain their church.

The duties of the confraternity were, "To help in times of sickness, to wait for the services and processions." On Good Friday, the brethren would call the faithful together and lead them in the Stations of the Cross with lanterns, going to "seek the Lord."

St. Roch was torn down in 1954 to improve the road system and today, an ancient stone, perhaps the baptismal font, and the perimeter tracing of the ancient foundations remain as a reminder of its location.