The monastic complex was developed following the model of the "laura", a type of monastery composed of a collection of caves or cells built in masonry, organized around a larger cave used as a church, or, as in the case of Sperlonga, around to a sacred building. The promontory on which the Sperlonga Sanctuary stands is distinguished by the presence of two altimetric levels which allow access, via a path carved into the rock, to various natural cavities.
Some of these have been artificially modified to create living cells for the monks. The existence of numerous other cavities in the surrounding area further emphasizes the uniqueness of this monastic settlement.
During the restoration work conducted by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage of the Province of Salerno between 1997 and 2004, a significant portion of the original pictorial decoration of the church of Santa Maria della Sperlonga was brought to light. Among these discoveries, it should be noted that the back wall, previously occupied by an altar built in 1930 thanks to donations from Palomontese emigrants, hid beneath it precious fragments of frescoes that once adorned the apse.
The frescoes dating back to the 11th century represent five holy bishops: Biagio, bishop of Sebaste in Armenia; John Chrysostom, one of the most eminent Fathers and Doctors of the Eastern Church; Nicandro, first bishop of Myra, a name that also appears in local toponymy; Basil, bishop of Caesarea and pioneer of the principles of ascetic life; and Nicholas of Myra, known as the great miracle worker, extremely venerated in both Latin and Eastern Christianity.
In the basin of the apse there is a fresco of the Virgin Odighítria, "she who shows the path". In this fresco, the Virgin, holding the infant Christ sitting on her lap with one hand and pointing him out to the faithful with the other, is venerated as a symbol of guidance and protection. This figure is also known as the Virgin of Constantinople, particularly venerated in Southern Italy.
