Bitonto

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BITONTO CATTEDRALE - NOVEMBER 2006

The biggest and most sumptuously medieval of the Puglian Cathedrals in itself, its detailing and its setting. Dating from the 1100s, the Bitonto Cattedrale has recently emerged from a ten year restoration program which involved inter alia the digging up of the entire floor area and creation under the relaid nave floor of a museum of the foundations, flooring and artefacts of the original building.

This place is so worth it, don't be put off by the total lack of signage. Cruise around until you find the Piazza Marconi, which has lots of meter parking and is next to the main gate into the narrow streeted old town. Go through the gate and "sempre dritto" (straight on) - more or less, as the medieval lanes allow - until after five minutes or less you sense the Cattedrale on your right. If, as is likely, the crypt and museum below the church are locked up, ask someone like Vito Valentino (below) if you can see them.

A lion beside the main alabaster glazed window in the apse seems to be doing something unspeakable ....

The south transept rose window

Frederick II and family grace the stairway to the ambo (below - that's a pulpit look alike but for readings not preachings - there is a separate pulpit for that - the one closer to the camera in the photo above above)

Sacristan Vito Valentino cheerfully offered to unlock the crypt and excavation areas under the cattedrale, and gave the Dom a lengthy and fascinating guided tour, patiently waiting whilst photos were taken, and taken, and .........

An ugly landing at the base of the column at the head of the stairs to the crypt ......

This 1000s giant floor mosaic of a Gryphon carrying an ivy leaf is the prize exhibit down below - it is under the west end of the nave and belonged to an earlier cathedral

The crypt, as in most of the Norman Puglian Cathedrals, runs under the transept of the upper church

Basement crypt fresco of the Annunciation

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