Oak Island’s Templar Connection Deepens as Rick Lagina Investigates Ancient Italian Cave Systems

While operations continued on The Curse of Oak Island, Rick Lagina and key members of the team traveled more than 3,700 miles to Italy in search of possible new connections between Oak Island and the legendary Knights Templar.

Joined by Alex Lagina, Peter Fornetti, Doug Crowell and researcher Cory Macleod, the group explored ancient underground cave systems that may hold clues connected to one of Oak Island’s most mysterious discoveries — the lead cross found near Smith’s Cove in 2017.

The Ancient Cammarano Caves and the Lead Cross Mystery

The journey first brought the team to Cammarano, Italy, where they met researcher Emiliano Sacchetti and cave expert Alberto Recanatini. According to Emiliano, the underground labyrinths beneath Cammarano date back more than 2,500 years and feature structures remarkably similar in shape to the Oak Island lead cross.

As Rick Lagina entered the massive cave network, he immediately noticed the scale and complexity of the construction.

The caves, originally believed to have been created by the Picenes in the sixth century BC, were later modified between the 12th and 14th centuries during the height of Templar influence in the region.

Inside a section known as the Venus Cave, the team discovered a cross-shaped layout that closely mirrored the asymmetrical design of the lead cross uncovered on Oak Island.

“This really is that,” Rick said emotionally while reflecting on the late researcher Zena Halpern, whose earlier theories helped inspire the investigation.

For Rick, the discovery represented more than coincidence. It was another possible piece of evidence linking Oak Island to Templar history.

Ancient Symbols in Osimo Spark New Questions

The investigation then moved to Osimo, Italy, where another vast underground cave system known as the Grotte Simonetti caught the team’s attention.

Almost immediately, Alex Lagina and Peter Fornetti identified an ancient carved symbol matching markings previously found on the mysterious HO Stone discovered on Oak Island decades ago.

The symbol — a circle with a central dot — has long been debated by researchers. Some believe it may represent gold or treasure. Seeing the same carving inside a cave system connected to Templar activity created a major moment for the team.

“We are beginning to draw some connective tissue to perhaps Templar involvement in Oak Island,” Rick explained after examining the carving.

The discovery strengthened theories suggesting the Knights Templar may have transported valuables or sacred relics across Europe before ultimately hiding them in the New World.

Viterbo’s Medieval Church Reveals More Templar Clues

The team’s search continued in the ancient city of Viterbo, once a powerful center of medieval Christianity and an important Templar stronghold.

Inside the historic church of Santa Maria Nuova, built in 1080, the investigators found more carvings tied to symbols previously associated with Oak Island.

Among the most important discoveries was a cross surrounded by four dots — identical to markings found on the HO Stone. According to local researchers, these symbols are strongly associated with Templar locations and sacred relic sites.

For the Oak Island team, the repeated appearance of these symbols across Europe was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

“If this symbol is only found in Templar-associated locations, it speaks volumes for our HO Stone,” Rick stated during the investigation.

Could the HO Stone Point to Templar Gold?

As the investigation progressed, Alex Lagina began connecting the various symbols discovered during the trip.

By combining the cross-and-dot patterns with other carvings found in the church, Alex suggested the HO Stone itself may actually contain a coded message pointing toward “Templar gold.”

The theory immediately caught Rick’s attention.

Throughout history, medieval organizations such as the Knights Templar frequently used symbols, coded markings and hidden meanings to protect valuable information. If Alex’s interpretation is correct, the HO Stone may not simply be decorative — it could represent direct instructions connected to hidden treasure on Oak Island.

The Oak Island Mystery Continues to Grow

For the Lagina team, the trip to Italy reinforced their belief that Oak Island’s story stretches far beyond Nova Scotia.

From underground labyrinths and Templar symbols to mysterious carvings tied directly to Oak Island artifacts, the expedition added another layer to a mystery that has already fascinated researchers for generations.

More importantly, the discoveries strengthened the possibility that the island’s buried secrets may be connected not only to treasure, but also to a much larger historical story involving the Knights Templar, sacred relics and hidden medieval networks spanning Europe and the Atlantic world.

As Rick Lagina reflected before leaving Italy, the investigation is no longer simply about searching underground.

“We need to look backwards in time,” he explained. “And that’s exactly what we’re doing.”