Si spinse a caccia nel largo bosco… La leggenda di fondazione dell'Abbazia di Santa Maria a Cerrate

The article aims to analyze the legend of the foundation of the abbey of Santa Maria a Cerrate through written and iconographic sources. Starting from the versions of the legend handed down by the Capuchin friar Luigi Tasselli in 1693 and by Bishop Scipione Sersale in 1747. We will try to clarify the role played by the foundation legend in the erroneous attribution of the abbey to Count Tancredi and the incorrect interpretation of fresco of Sant'Eustachio.