As early as the 14th century, many women used to go to the Papireto river with their washing. Legend has it that one day a woman was washing her clothes in the river when her child fell in and was sucked up by the waters. The woman invoked divine intervention and the child miraculously emerged safe and sound. To repay her for the grace she had received, her mother had a votive shrine built, and in time the Church of St Agnes was erected on the site, which is now a landmark for the whole district.