Bitonto - Concattedrale di Bitonto

Bitonto, today a city of a population of about 55000, was probably founded by Greek settlers. Traces of a city wall dating to the 5th and 4th century BC were found. Legends tell that the name Bitonto is connected to an Illyrian king named Botone. Later "Civitas Butuntinenses" became a self-governing Roman municipium,

A Paleochristian basilica existed very early. During the 9th century, Bitonto successfully withstood a Saracen raid but got destroyed by Byzantine troops in 975. The Normans took over Apulia. In the 11th and 12th century. Under the rule of the Normans of Roger II of Sicily, William I of Sicily (aka William the Wicked) and William II of Sicily (aka William the Good), the city prospered and got new walls.

In 1227, Bitonto was the scene of ex-communication of Frederick II accused by pope Gregory IX of having come to terms with the sultan al-Malik al-Kamil.

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The Bitonto Cathedral, dedicated to San Valentino, was erected 1175/1200 in the centre of the city. The construction was probably influenced by the "Basilica of San Nicola" in Bari and was done in the typical "Apulian Romanesque" style.

It is proven that the bishopric existed in 1089, though the crypt of the cathedral has remains of a 5th-century church.

There are three portals. The central one has wonderful tympanum, seen here. The lintel has the "Annunciation", the "Visitation", the "Adoration of the Magi" and the "Presentation in the Temple". Note that the Magi have their names written. The scene above is interpreted as an "Anastasia", the "Harrowing of Hell". Jesus descended to hell to bring salvation to all of the righteous who had died since the beginning of the world