Church of St Marcian Bishop

The Archaeological Area of San Marciano in Atina: Between the Legend of San Marco Galileo and Early Christian Discoveries

According to tradition, under the Emperor Domitian (81-96 A.D.), near the northern outskirts of Atina, before the ancient Roman road began its ascent towards the already pre-Roman city, St Mark Galileo was martyred. According to tradition, he was one of the disciples of the Apostle Peter, who consecrated him bishop and entrusted him with the evangelisation of parts of Italy: he is said to have spread Christianity in Marsica, Lower Latium and various parts of Campania.

Here, during the 4th century, after the liberalisation of Christianity by the Emperor Constantine, a first basilica was built in which his body was placed under the high altar. It was an episcopal see until 627 under the name of St Mary and St Mark.

The primitive funeral basilica suffered numerous destructions and restorations during the early Middle Ages and long periods of complete neglect. Finally in the 11th century, following the discovery of the body of St Mark the Bishop under the altar of what remained of the church, Bishop Leo promoted its reconstruction. .

In 1056 it is mentioned under the title of St Marcian.

The Archaeological Discovery (2012-2013)

What makes St. Marcian's an exceptional site are the results of excavations conducted in 2012-2013. The removal of the modern pavement revealed that the church stands exactly above a early Christian necropolis.

They were found 23 burials (dating from the late Constantinian period), almost all oriented in a north-south direction.

Tomb 15: A Privileged Burial

In the centre of the nave emerged the Tomb 15, which stands out for its position and richness, suggesting that the cult building was built precisely to monumentalise this burial site.

• Structure: It is bordered by reused limestone blocks that preserve frescoes with floral motifs, typical of the funerary repertoire of the imperial age.

• The Treasury: Inside, next to the inhumate, a ceramic mug and a “hoard” of 23 bronze coins of the late Constantinian age.

Tomb 21 and the First Cross of Atina

Even more significant for dating is the Tomb 21. Sealed by a concrete casting, it held an epigraph with a Radiated Christgram (the monogram of Christ consisting of the letters Chi and Rho). This find, datable to the first half of the 4th century, constitutes the first certain archaeological evidence of the Christian presence in Atina.

Historical Conclusions

The discoveries confirm what has been handed down in written sources (such as those of St Paulinus of Nola on the pilgrimages of the Atinates). The area of San Marciano was not just a burial ground, but the beating heart of a structured Christian community already in the early 4th century, which chose to be buried ad sanctos (close to the saints), turning a pagan cemetery into a shrine of the new faith.