Monopoli Cathedral

Monopoli, Italy

Monopoli Cathedral has been since 1986 a co-cathedral in the Diocese of Conversano-Monopoli. The cathedral was erected near the site of a Roman temple and burial site. Work began on it in 1107, but was supposedly halted for the lack of roof beams. A miracle occurred in 1117 when a raft carrying an icon of the Madonna drifted into the harbour. The raft beams were used to construct the roof.

The Romanesque structure was not complete until 1442, when it was consecrated. Two of the three bell-towers were damaged during the siege of the Marquis Del Vasto in 1528. The remaining tower collapsed in 1686, killing forty townspeople. By 1693, a new campanile had been erected.

In 1738, an endowment by Bishop Giulio Sacchi called for a refurbishment. The old church was razed, and a new church begun in 1742. Work was completed in Baroque style in 1772. In 1921, the cathedral was declared a minor basilica. In 1986, the dioceses of Monopoli and Conversano were joined, making this a co-cathedral.

The Chapel of Our Lady of Madia has elaborate polychrome decoration on the altar. The chapel contains two large canvases by Pietro Bardellino, and there are 6 small 18th-century paintings depicting the Life of the Virgin by Michele del Pezzo. A series of four paintings (1732) in the Chapel of the Martyrs by Michelangelo Signorile recounts the Miracle of the Raft.

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Details

Founded: 1107
Category: Religious sites in Italy

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Karolina Boduch (3 years ago)
Beautiful place
Nicolas Eymard (3 years ago)
Really beautiful cathedral. Highly recommend when visiting Monopoli.
Kornél MAGYAR (3 years ago)
Amazing surprise, a majestic cathedral hidden in the tiny streets of the old town. Beautiful interior with red marble stone cover. Special place of the tabernacle is located behind and above the altar where you can approach with a staircase. A true hidden gem.
Julia Julian (4 years ago)
It’s definitely worth visiting on the inside as the decor is stunning.
A R (4 years ago)
Very reach church. Recomend to visit. They have a copy of Maria Królowa Polski from Jasna Góra. Some small police accent in Puglia.
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