Church of San Giovanni in Cerreto Sannita

Perched on a boulder high above the Turio stream, near the bridge of the same name and the old walls, stands the Church of San Giovanni in Cerreto Sannita, built in the first half of the 17th century. The 1688 earthquake, which razed old Cerreto to the ground, caused it only slight damage, so much so that for a time it served as the parish church.It is small and simple: a gabled façade, a little bell tower, a stone holy-water stoup and a single nave with a painting of St John the Baptist. We are especially fascinated by the legend of the 'Nzilla, a young woman said to appear on the night of 23–24 June, associated with Salome and the ancient customs of St John's Night. Every year a re-enactment is held in front of the church.