Description of the attraction
Otranto Cathedral is the main Catholic church in the city of Otranto, one of the most prominent in the Italian region of Apulia. It was built on the ruins of an ancient Roman dwelling and an early Christian church, which was revealed during archaeological work carried out from 1986 to 1990.
The construction of the cathedral began in 1080, during the reign of Pope Gregory VII, and was completed eight years later. In the same year 1088, the new cathedral was consecrated. That period, the end of the 11th century, was the heyday of the ancient Otranto, which was called Hydrunton.
Today, the Cathedral of Otranto is a real synthesis of various architectural styles, in which early Christian, Byzantine and Romanesque features are mixed. Inside, it consists of a central nave, two side chapels, a semicircular apse and two side chapels. The main nave is framed by 14 granite columns topped with various capitals. The total length of the cathedral is 54 meters, width - 25 meters. In 1693, a wonderful wooden ceiling was made, covered with gilding and richly decorated. Three altars on the right side-altar are dedicated to the Resurrection of Christ, Saint Dominic and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the altars on the left side-altar are dedicated to the Holy Trinity, Providence of God and Saint Anthony of Padua.
But perhaps the main attraction of the cathedral is its unique mosaic floor, made in 1163 by order of Bishop Jonat. This floor was worked on by the monk Pantaleone, the head of the art school of the University of Casole. Mosaics cover the floor of the central nave, two side chapels, apse and presbytery. It is made of multi-colored smalt, carved from very hard limestone, and has features of the Byzantine and Romanesque styles. Pantaleone, with the help of his creation, wanted to show the drama of human life - the eternal struggle of Good with Evil, virtue with vices.
Two flights of stairs, located in the side chapels of the cathedral, lead to the crypt, which occupies the space under the chapels, the apse and the presbytery. You can also get into the crypt through the door on the side of the main entrance to the cathedral. The date of the construction of the crypt remains unknown, but it probably dates back to the days of the Roman Empire. Inside you can see 42 columns of different types of marble topped with capitals. Fragments of antique frescoes have been preserved on the walls.
