The Christian Sabine Territory: The roads of the late Roman period were a fundamental catalyst for the diffusion of Christianity. This process led to the Christianization of previously unknown territories.The  breakthrough of this new religion was accompanied by the widespread flourishing of sacred buildings ( catacombs, oratories, chapels, temples) which traced out the religious itinerary, which we can admire today. One of the first breaks, however, in this process came at the end of the sixth century with the arrival of the Longobards, a population of mainly pagan or Arian bellief. This event not only meant a marked "de- christianization" of different urban areas but led to the re-defining of the diocesan territories, which became limited to the zones of Foronovano and Rieti. The conversion of the Germanic population to the Christian faith was given a strong impulse towards the beginning of the eighth century. This was enhanced by Farfa Abbey through intense evangelic and missionary action. The Abbey of Farfa, as a religious local focus, was refounded around AD 680 by a colony of monks from the south of France under Thomas of  Morienne.

THE MAP

I Testi ed alcune foto di questa sezione sono tratte dal libro "Andar per Santi per Antiche Strade...." (provincia di Rieti Assessorato per la cultura)