It rises up from the first burial place of Ottaviano, who reached Italy in the 6th Century along with Saints Giusto and Clement. The story tells that he lived in the hollow of an elm tree where the oratory named after him now stands. Today, his remains rest in the cathedral of Volterra.
On its façade, to the right of the entrance, you may find an epigraph written in an ancient language. It appears to be a text in uncial, an ancient script in capital letters mostly used in manuscripts. One possible interpretation of the text is: AN(N)I DOMINI MCCCCII PAVOLO DI GU(C)CIO E ANDREOC(C)IO DI BARTOLOMEO ERES(SERO) – in the year 1402, Paolo di Guccio and Andreoccio di Bartolomeo built it.
If its Romanesque system contradicts this building date, it’s more plausible that the two were responsible for some modifications. The name Andreoccio di Bartolomeo corresponds to that of a decorator who was active during that period in Volterra.
Might he have carved the inscription himself?
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