THE WESTERN AREA
The Western Area originated at the beginning of the 4th century and developed during the period of religious peace. The area was used solely for burial and had its own staircase. It has a fair number of cubicula. One of them has a dome-vault; some fifty corpses were buried in it.
A pleasant surprise is "the Madonna Arcosolium"which dates back to the first half of the 4th century.Its frescoes are badly deteriorated; the best preserved scene is that of the Epiphany. The Madonna is seated on a throne with her head veiled, wearing a long tunic. On her knees she bears the child Jesus, dressed in a small tunic. The Magi, who represent the first pagans who have received faith, hurry to offer their gifts to the Child.
