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Sanctuary of San Rufino di Costano: A Journey Between Faith and History

Nestled in the heart of Umbria, the Sanctuary of San Rufino di Costano represents a place of profound spirituality and centuries-old devotion. Although the ancient church no longer exists, its memory is preserved in the hearts of the inhabitants and in the historical testimonies that narrate its origins and its indissoluble bond with San Rufino, the patron saint of Assisi.

The Origins of the Sanctuary: Between History and Legend

The history of the Sanctuary has its roots in a distant past, shrouded in a veil of mystery. Tradition holds that Costano was the site of the martyrdom of San Rufino. The “Passio,” handed down by Umbrian lectionaries (written between the 9th and 11th centuries), tells the story of Rufino, a bishop from Amasia in Pontus (present-day Turkey). After converting the proconsul, he is said to have traveled to the Marsi region (Abruzzo) with his son Cesedio, consecrating a church and leaving his son as its custodian. Subsequently, he arrived in Assisi to preach the Gospel. Discovered by the proconsul Aspasio, he was tortured and finally martyred, thrown into the Chiascio River with a stone tied to his neck.

Local tradition identifies Costano as the site of the martyrdom, on the banks of the Chiascio River, where an ancient church dedicated to San Rufino once stood. From here, the saint’s body was transferred to the “parva basilica” of Assisi, today’s Cathedral of San Rufino.

Historical Testimonies: A Journey Through Time

A document from 1038 mentions a “placitum” held “infra comitatum Assisinatum in locus qui dicitur Costanum ubi dicitur a Sanctum Rufinum,” confirming the ancient tradition of the martyrdom and the presence of a church dedicated to the saint. This church, considered the oldest in the area, represented the first tomb of San Rufino. Saint Peter Damian recounts that the translation of the body to Assisi took place in the first quarter of the 11th century, although some scholars date the event to the end of the 8th century, during Lombard rule. This suggests that the construction of the Costano church dates back to an even earlier period.

In 1354, the locality was called “vocabulo S. Ruffini.” Unfortunately, the church no longer exists. In 1469 it was still present, but at the beginning of the 17th century, Egidi saw only its ruins. A document from 1515 describes it as a “casalino,” a shelter or makeshift dwelling, indicating its state of abandonment: “in balyia Costani, in quodam casaleno sive Ecclesia diruta, ditta la chiesia de S. Rufino de Costano.”

The Stone of Martyrdom: A Precious Relic

A relic of great spiritual value, the stone to which the pagans tied San Rufino before throwing him into the river, was kept in the church of Costano. Today, this stone is preserved and venerated in the Sanctuary of the Crucifix of Costano, where it is used as the altar table.

Perpetual Memory: The Cemetery Chapel

The ancient church of San Rufino in Costano is remembered today by the local cemetery chapel, erected almost on the same site and dedicated to the saint. It represents a tangible symbol of the profound devotion and lasting bond between Costano and San Rufino.

Ideas for an Adventurous Exploration of the Sanctuary (and its Surroundings):

* **Investigate the foundations of the ancient church:** Explore the cemetery area and its surroundings in search of any traces or remains of the foundations of the original church.
* **Reconstruct the history of the “Passio”:** Deepen the study of Umbrian lectionaries and analyze the different versions of the “Passio” of San Rufino, comparing them with historical sources to distinguish between legend and reality.
* **Trace the route of the translation:** Search for clues and testimonies that could reconstruct the route followed for the translation of San Rufino’s body from Costano to Assisi, identifying any stopping places or dedicated chapels along the way.
* **Deepen the history of the Sanctuary of the Crucifix:** Study the history of the Sanctuary of the Crucifix of Costano, where the martyrdom stone is kept, investigating its connection to the figure of San Rufino and its importance in local devotion.
* **Geophysical analysis of the terrain:** Evaluate the possibility of conducting non-invasive geophysical investigations in the cemetery area to identify subsurface anomalies that might indicate the presence of ancient structures.

The Sanctuary of San Rufino di Costano, even in its present form, continues to be a place of silence, prayer, and memory, inviting pilgrims and visitors to rediscover the roots of faith and to deepen their knowledge of Umbrian history and spirituality. A place where devotion merges with history, offering a unique experience to the visitor.