0 favorites     0 comments    92 visits

Location

Lat, Lng:  
Lat, Lng:  
You can copy the above to your favourite mapping app.
Address:  unknown

 View on map

See also...


Keywords

crypt
William the Wicked
William I of Sicily
Saracen raid
Byzantine empire
Roger II of Sicily
Federico II
Frederico Suevo
Concattedrale di Bitonto
Bitonto Cathedral
Federico II di Svevia
Bitonto
Italy
Norman
Puglia
Friedrich II
Apulia
Apulien
William the Good
Frederick II
William II of Sicily
Apulian Romanesque


Authorizations, license

Visible by: Everyone
All rights reserved

92 visits


Bitonto - Concattedrale di Bitonto

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.

-
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.

-
Stairs run down to the large crypt under the choir from where the visitor can step into the early times, as here are the foundations of the very first paleochristian church.

Comments

Sign-in to write a comment.