Sacred Architecture, Building Techniques, and Territorial Organization at the Roman Sanctuary of San Cristoforo (Itri)

Abstract

This paper presents the results of recent archaeological investigations at the Roman sanctuary of San Cristoforo, located in the Aurunci Mountains near Itri (southern Latium). The study is based on an architectural survey carried out in 2022, combining ground and aerial photogrammetry, topographic measurements, and stratigraphic analysis of the standing structures, with particular attention to masonry techniques and construction phases. The preserved remains indicate a terraced sanctuary complex developed mainly during the Late Republican period, probably in the mid–2nd century BC, with evidence of earlier cultic activity. Polygonal masonry retaining walls, irregular reticulate structures, hydraulic installations, and a monumental stairway define the architectural layout of the site. The analysis highlights local adaptations of Roman building practices and interprets the sanctuary as a key element in the Roman organization and control of a marginal rural landscape in southern Latium.