Sol Invictus – Basilica di Sant’Elia

Sol Invictus explores the dialogue between sunlight, Romanesque architecture and the liturgical cycle of Saint Elia’s Basilica.

Beams of solstice light inside Saint Elia's Basilica — The play of light inside the Basilica.

The winter temple

During the shortest days of the year, sunlight passes through the single-lancet windows and creates remarkable projections on the walls, columns and floor. The phenomenon was rediscovered and studied by Stefano Cavalieri, author of Il tempio d’inverno, and can be observed from sunrise to sunset.

The summer solstice

Recent research has documented another path of light at dawn during the summer solstice. The beam crosses the scenes of the Apocalypse in the transept, creating a striking dialogue between images, orientation and sacred space. In the absence of documentary evidence, it is not possible to establish whether every alignment was intentional, but the observed phenomenon continues to inspire research.

20–21 December 2025Winter Sol Invictus

Two days of light, guided visits, music and the placement of the Blue Shield emblem.

19–21 June 2026Summer Sol Invictus

Concerts, walks, local heritage and new archaeoastronomical observations.

Solstice beams across the nave — Winter light across the nave.

Light near the ciborium — Light and medieval architecture.

Light beams and columns — The solar path through the Basilica.

The initiative is organised in collaboration with the Sol Invictus Association. Information: sol-invictus.it.