Bitonto - Duomo 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. Later "Civitas Butuntinenses" became a self-governing Roman municipium,

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 the ex-communication of Frederick II accused by pope Gregory IX of having come to terms with sultan al-Malik al-Kamil.

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The Bitonto Cathedral, dedicated to San Valentino, was erected 1175/1200 in the center 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.

The queen of the mermaids looks sad. She has lost her crown and is stuck in a trap. The most surprising thing is that she doesn't have two breasts like all the other mermaids, but three.


I have taken many photos here on previous visits and will only upload a few now. Here you can find many more:
www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/1333170?view=0