Tuscia University

The Santa Maria in Gradi complex has been for several centuries the Dominican Monastery. Built in 1244 by the order of Viterbese Raniero Capoxi, a papal notary, it was restored after an important restoration work carried out at the University of Tuscia since 1996. The complex is still impressive and rich in historical and artistic evidence. Among them, particular importance seems to be the monastic dating from the middle of the thirteenth century, where it is still read in its entirety by the original decorations: Five pentafore sharp arches on each side that insist on the marble columns of the twins, 160 in all, Each stance has a beautiful gargoyle in Lion's head, even not enough today, the original discharge function of rainwater, is a decorative element of the relief. In the center insists well of 1557 (the date engraved on the entablature) rests on the base consisting of tombstones of restoration from the ancient church of Santa Maria in Gradi. Faced with the monastery remained virtually unchanged for more than eight centuries, there is a second one, built in 1306, but rebuilt several times, which now has strict forms of the seventeenth century. In the center, in this case, there is a fountain, built in 1480; Classics in his institution, although characterized by the original "fence" of the octagon, crowned by the entablature classicism of the spirit of the Renaissance.