This is the cathedral. The Romanic style face seen today was created in the13th century. Parts of the interior date from the 8th centry.
This is the main stained glass window, as seen from the inside. It depicts Christ, Lord of the Universe. The inscription in the book is in both Latin and Greek. It reads: Ego sum lux mundi. Qui sequitur me non ambulat in tenebris. This translates as "I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in the dark."
This is the view up the central aisle.
This painting hangs above the main altar. It depicts the assumption of Mary, to which the cathedral is dedicated and for which it is given its proper name of La Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta. It was inspired by a similar painting which hangs in the church of Santa Maria Gioiosa in Venice.
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This is a statue of Santa Maria di Valleverde. It is a replica of the one kept in the church on the site of the apparition. Its lower financial value perhaps gives it a greater artistic value because unlike the original, it is not stored high up in a glass cabinet, but in the open at eye level. As this copy is much newer than the original, the colours are far more vibrant; much nearer to how the original artist had intended and had created all those years ago.
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This carved capital is found at the top of right hand column by the altar. On the front face it shows the prophet Daniel between two lions. This dates from the 8th or 9th century. The inside face shows two doves holding leaves in their beaks as a sign of peace.. |
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The main granite columns of the cathedral date from the Roman era, and therefore must have been salvaged from from one or more other buildings. They are of different heights, and they are topped by capitals of different styles and ages. To compensate for these differing lengths, some have been placed on blocks originally intended for use at the top of columns. |
Here we see the differing styles in the capitals at the top of the main pillars.
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This baptismal font found at the back of the cathedral has a capacity of around 200 litres. It rests on an upside down capital of ionic style. |
The choir was replaced in 1600 by Bishop Paolo Tolosa following the destruction of it's predecessor in a fire. It depicts a number of unusual motifs including a serpent rising from the chalice.
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This crucifix in the cathedral is slightly unusual in that it shows Christ while he is still alive. It was originally found in a nearby church in the country side called Constantinopoli. It was donated to the cathedral when this privately owned church was demolished in the 1970's. It was restored by a local artist. |
Ciao Bovino would like to thank Adriano
Bisanti, Pompeo D'Andrea, Michele Grande, Mariana Cutillo and Francesca
Procaccini for their invaluable help in updating this page.