The Hospital of St. Thomas the Apostle, better known as the Ospedaletto, è a typical historic building in Rocchette di Fazio, a hamlet of Semproniano. This structure, dedicated to St. Thomas and dating back to the early 14th century, was built outside the town walls to accommodate pilgrims arriving during the night, when the castle gates were closed.
The decorative and architectural elements of the Ospedaletto have given rise to numerous legends, many of which link the building to the Templars. On the lintel of the main portal è an Agnus Dei is carved, while on one side of the building è a cross is engraved inside a circle, the symbol of the Benedictine Order.
The building’s main entrance is a cross with a cross, a symbol of the Benedictine Order.
A detail of great interest è the bas-relief with a bearded face positioned at the top right of the building. According to some interpretations, it may depict Bafometto, the pagan idol at the center of the accusations against the Templars, while according to others it may represent the hospital’s patron or a monk who guarded the Via Francigena.
The bas-relief is a very interesting feature.
Both on the facade and on the west side of the Ospedaletto, there are two pairs of plaques with vernacular Latin inscriptions, which could refer to the Templar Order and the building’s restoration phases.
Take a step back in time by visiting the Hospital of St. Thomas the Apostle, a place rich in history and mystery in the heart of Rocchette di Fazio.”
