The church of San Domenico in Terracina was begun around the middle of the thirteenth century, following the rules of Cistercian architecture adapted to the needs of the mendicant orders. It is dedicated to Saint Dominic de Guzmán and should not be confused with the more recent Terracina parish of the same name, dedicated to Saint Dominic Savio. The enclosed convent and its cloister were hit by bombing in the Second World War, but keep their plan.
What to see
The façade has an architraved doorway and a small portico; above it opens a very fine rose window made of interlacing arches carried on small columns. The interior has a single nave, with a transept and a flat-ended choir.
The bell tower is very old but no longer has bells: the one it had fell to the ground during the bombing and was stolen some years ago. The church was restored in 2012.
Visiting
After the restoration the building is waiting to be handed back to the town as an auditorium: openings and events should be checked with the municipality.
Our editors' tip
Take a good look at the rose window from the street: the arches crossing over small columns are the most refined detail of the façade.
