The so-called ‘crypt’ is one of the most surprising and mysterious areas of the cathedral complex. First of all, the existence of this space was only hypothesized until its discovery by chance in 1999; secondly, the oblivion into which these rooms fell enabled them to remain in a perfect state of conservation. One can only be astounded at the sight of the columns covered with painted decorations of extraordinary vivacity, and our wonder and excitement grow in front of the brilliant colors of the wall paintings that dispel forever the idea of the Middle Ages as a “dark” time. The narrow door bears witness to the tormented history of this space, perhaps originally built as a secondary entrance to the cathedral, facing in the direction of what had become the pulsating center of the city. Probably as a result of the collapse of the ancient baptistery, which was traditionally located in front of the main entrance to the cathedral, the decision was made to extend the nave further outwards at the apse end, taking advantage of the space created underneath it because of the slope of the hill to build the new baptistery there. Therefore this room had to be sacrificed, filling it in up to a certain level with dirt and rubble and cutting across the vaults of the ceiling so the floor of the nave above it could rest on the supporting columns. It was just this rubble and fill that . . .