Located at the foot of Mount Corvino and dedicated to the proto-martyr Saint Stephen, the abbey of Valvisciolo preserves evident traces of the passage of the Templars. According to tradition, it was founded in the 8th century by the Basilian monks of San Nilo, already active in Grottaferrata. In the second half of the XII century the Cistercian monks settled there, bringing substantial changes to the original structure, making it a perfect Cistercian Gothic abbey. The Templars settled there between the 12th and 14th centuries, as evidenced by the Templar cross near the rose window and other lesser known traces. Inside, the church is divided into three naves divided by pillars and columns, faithfully following the Cistercian canons that did not contemplate architectural frills or paintings or frescoes, so as to be able to concentrate only on spirituality. Later, the abbey became the family church of the Caetani family, so we owe to Henry Caetani and Honoratus IV the
