Hypogea dug in the sandstone
The hypogea of Santarcangelo, erroneously defined as tuffaceous, are about 150, excavated in sandstone and clay. Located in the eastern part of the Giove hill, they are arranged on three floors.
They are divided into "caves with a simple structure" and others with a "complex structure".
The former usually have a corridor with comb-shaped lateral niches and barrel or cross-shaped roofs; the latter, a total of five, are instead characterized by a much more complex structure. If for the former a practical use has been assumed (deposits, cellars for the conservation of our Sangiovese, thanks to a constant temperature of 12/13 degrees), for the latter, however, a cultural purpose is not excluded. Scholars, in this regard, put forward numerous hypotheses: early Christian caves, chapels for the oriental cult of the God Mithras, basilicas of Basilian monks, etc ... It is still a real mystery!
On the other hand, we know with certainty that, regardless of their origin, they were excellent shelters for the inhabitants of the city during the Second World War, when they were all put in communication.