Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Italy Calcata Vecchia Calcata

Calcata

Medieval town turned hippie commune, once home to the secret foreskin of Jesus Christ.

Calcata Vecchia, Italy

Added By
masqueofanarchy
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  Padre MarianOne
  Giampaolo Macorig
  alphadesigner
  Lessio
  Alessandro Zilio
  ..ric..
Inside Kafir Cafe   Kyoto Song
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

A visit to the town of Calcata, Italy, located about an hour outside of Rome, reveals a strange mix of medieval ghost town and hippie commune. In addition to its picturesque setting and eccentric population, Calcata's claim to fame is its association with one of the most unusual religious relics imaginable.

In the 1930s growing concerns about the structural integrity of Calcata's surrounding cliffs and the possibility of earthquakes prompted the Italian government to condemn the village and relocate residents to Calcata Nouvo half a mile away. By the 1960s an entirely new set of residents had begun to trickle in, this time of a strictly artistic bent. Today, the tiny, ramshackle, medieval town is thick with galleries, workshops, and studios. Some of these are in the ground floor of houses which look haphazardly stacked on top of each other, while others are in caves cut into the side of the mountain on which the town perches.

The town's re-population by its current bohemian inhabitants is only one aspect of Calcata's unusual story. For centuries, the church in the town's main square was a site of pilgrimage due to the bizarre relic it possessed – the papal-approved foreskin of the infant Christ. In 1527 the relic made its way from Rome's Sancta Sanctorum, where it had long resided, to Calcata by way of a German soldier who stole the relic, among other treasures, during the sack of Rome. The soldier was captured in Calcata, but the foreskin wasn't recovered until thirty years later when it was discovered stashed away in the soldier's jail cell.

The foreskin became a popular Calcata pilgrimage attraction, particularly during the annual procession held in its honor. Beginning around 1900, however, the Vatican became increasingly cagey about the subject, going so far as to threaten excommunication to anyone who spoke or wrote about it. Still, the annual celebration continued until 1983 when it was announced that the relic had "disappeared."

Theories abound as to the fate of the foreskin. One popular theory, promoted in part by journalist David Farley, is that the Vatican itself, uncomfortable with the relic's fame, is responsible for for its disappearance. Others speculate it was stolen by thieves or even the local parish priest and sold on the black market. Whatever became of it, its connection with Calcata certainly adds yet another layer to the town's already colorful history.

Related Tags

Relics Geological Oddities Relics And Reliquaries Geology
Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Italy: Roman Carbonara, Florentine Steak & Venetian Cocktails

Savor local cuisine across Rome, Florence & Venice.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

masqueofanarchy

Published

April 24, 2013

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/28/travel/28dayout.html?_r=0
Calcata
Calcata Vecchia, 01030
Italy
42.216667, 12.416667

Nearby Places

Pontificio Santuario Maria SS "ad Rupes" (Pontifical Sanctuary of Maria SS. ad Rupes)

Castel Sant'Elia, Italy

miles away

Basilica di Sant'Elia

Castel Sant'Elia, Italy

miles away

Hermitage of Saint Sylvester

Rome, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Italy

Italy

Europe

Places 1,054
Stories 110

Nearby Places

Pontificio Santuario Maria SS "ad Rupes" (Pontifical Sanctuary of Maria SS. ad Rupes)

Castel Sant'Elia, Italy

miles away

Basilica di Sant'Elia

Castel Sant'Elia, Italy

miles away

Hermitage of Saint Sylvester

Rome, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Italy

Italy

Europe

Places 1,054
Stories 110

Related Places

  • Mutsu, Japan

    Mount Osore

    This mountain's identity is stuck somewhere between a nightmare and a scenic tourist attraction.

  • Russia

    Ulakhan-Sis Range

    A remote Arctic mountain range is home to "granite cities" found almost nowhere else.

  • A beach on the island with distinctive rock formations.

    Malpe, India

    Thonsepar

    These four small islands contain unique hexagonal rock formations.

  • The winding curves of Ybykty Canyon.

    Koyulus, Kazakhstan

    Ybykty Canyon

    This small canyon is home to a treasure trove of geological oddities.

  • Healy, Alaska

    Suntrana Canyon

    This often-overlooked canyon dazzles and intrigues with its many layers of colors, shapes and odd formations.

  • Looking down at the water-carved tunnels

    Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

    Trümmelbach Falls

    Visit Europe's largest subterranean waterfall, carved by water from the glaciers of the towering peaks surrounding the valley.

  • A view of the perfectly round Lac Pavin.

    Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise, France

    Lac Pavin

    This volcanic crater lake is renowned for its perfectly round shape, stunning blue-green waters, and unique geological properties.

  • Pyramids of Euseigne

    Hérémence, Switzerland

    Pyramides d'Euseigne

    These spindly, stone-capped formations are the product of glacial deposits and thousands of years of erosion.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.