The little Church of St. Roche in Gallicano nel Lazio was built by the population in 1628 to honour a vow. As contemporary sources attest, in the early 17th century, the entire area south east of Rome was devastated by the plague, with the exception of Gallicano nel Lazio. The community of Gallicano, convinced that St. Roche had provided them with protection from the scourge, built a church in his honour.
The date of building, 1628, is recorded in the Pastoral Visits and can also be seen inscribed on a stone embedded in the church itself, on the south facing outer corner, between nave and presbytery. The inscription was unearthed during restoration work in 1999.
The church was originally outside the inhabited area, later expansion has now incorporated it into the urban landscape.
Its position is not casual because it dominates a vast area that was once vineyards and olive orchards, the only source of wealth for the town. The placing of a religious building to guard over the town's riches was an obvious choice considering the importance of these harvests and the religious nature of the population.

Galleria fotografica