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St. Paul was beheaded in this area. Since his head, while rolling bounced three times from which three fountains sprung forth; the entire area was called Three Fountains.
In this place, where St. Paul spent the night before his martyrdom, was also where 10,203 Christian soldiers were martyred under the emperor Diocletian after having worked on the construction of the baths which still bear his name.
At the end of the 16th century, the little Church of St. Paul was erected in the place where St. Paul and the Roman soldiers were martyred. This church was later named Scala Coeli.
The Church of Sts. Vincent and Anastasius is located beside, commonly known as the Abbey of the Three Fountains, which dates from the 12th century.
Since the 19th century, the reformed Cistercians, otherwise known as Trappists, have occupied this Abbey. They are constantly dedicated to prayer and work, including the draining of the swamplands of the area, that comprises the hill of the Grotto of the Three Fountains, which was renewed with the planting of eucalyptus trees.
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