The Tropea cathedral was built by the Normans in the 12th century. A longitudinal development, with three naves in Norman style, the structure was built entirely in tuff and pale yellow lava stone. During the 17th century, the building was transformed into the baroque style and elongated 12 meters. Suffered many damages because of the many earthquakes and had numerous restorations. The interior houses the icon of the saints. The patron saint of the city, the Virgin of Romania, the work of a pupil of Giotto datable around 1230 and originating in the eastern. Particular attention is paid to the majestic black Crucifix, probably coming from France and datable not before 1600.
References:Visby Cathedral (also known as St. Mary’s Church) is the only survived medieval church in Visby. It was originally built for German merchants and inaugurated in 1225. Around the year 1350 the church was enlarged and converted into a basilica. The two-storey magazine was also added then above the nave as a warehouse for merchants.
Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.
There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.