Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Chiesa del Crocifisso

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 construction of the Chiesa del Crocifisso started in 1664. It replaced an older chapel that had fresco of the Crucifixion, that was considered miraculous. Following the increase in devotion to the sacred image, the original building had become insufficient for the needs of worship. The church is built on an original Greek cross plan with domes.

The "Basilica di Santo Stefano" known as "Sette Chiese" (= "Seven Churches") encompasses a complex of interconnected religious edifices, erected between the 5th and the 13th century. According to tradition Saint Petronius, a bishop during the 5th century, built the first basilica. He actually wished a building that recalled the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. This church got severely damaged during the invasions of Hungarian troops in the tenth century. A century later Benedictian monks rebuilt the complex. There are two cloisters, after having passed the smaller one, next to the Basilica del Sepolcro, named "Cortile di Pilato" ("Pilate's courtyard"), the visitor enters this large two storey cloister, that has some nice capitals.

The "Basilica di Santo Stefano" known as "Sette Chiese" (= "Seven Churches") encompasses a complex of interconnected religious edifices, erected between the 5th and the 13th century. According to tradition Saint Petronius, a bishop during the 5th century, built the first basilica. He actually wished a building that recalled the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. This church got severely damaged during the invasions of Hungarian troops in the tenth century. A century later Benedictian monks rebuilt the complex. There are two cloisters, after having passed the smaller one, next to the Basilica del Sepolcro, named "Cortile di Pilato" ("Pilate's courtyard"), the visitor enters this large two storey cloister. Seen here is the tower "Chiesa del Crocifisso".

The Chiesa del Crocifisso (= "Church of the Cross") is part of the "Basilica di Santo Stefano" known as "Sette Chiese" (= "Seven Churches") that encompasses a complex of interconnected religious edifices, erected between the 5th and the 13th century. The Chiesa del Crocifisso is dated to the 8th/9th century, though it got altered later in many ways. The Romanesque crypt, below the risen choir, has a nave and two aisles on either side.

The Chiesa del Crocifisso (= "Church of the Cross") is part of the "Basilica di Santo Stefano" known as "Sette Chiese" (= "Seven Churches") that encompasses a complex of interconnected religious edifices, erected between the 5th and the 13th century. The Chiesa del Crocifisso is dated to the 8th/9th century, though it got altered later in many ways. The Romanesque crypt, below the risen choir, has a nave and two aisles on either side.

The Chiesa del Crocifisso (= "Church of the Cross") is part of the "Basilica di Santo Stefano" known as "Sette Chiese" (= "Seven Churches") that encompasses a complex of interconnected religious edifices, erected between the 5th and the 13th century. The Chiesa del Crocifisso is dated to the 8th/9th century, though it got altered later in many ways. Seen here is the Baroque choir.

The Chiesa del Crocifisso (= "Church of the Cross") is part of the "Basilica di Santo Stefano" known as "Sette Chiese" (= "Seven Churches") that encompasses a complex of interconnected religious edifices, erected between the 5th and the 13th century. The Chiesa del Crocifisso is dated to the 8th/9th century, though it got altered later in many ways. Seen here is the nave. Under the risen choir is a large crypt.

The "Basilica di Santo Stefano" is as well known as "Sette Chiese" (= "Seven Churches") that encompasses a complex of interconnected religious edifices, erected between the 5th and the 13th century. - See previous upload for an overview. According to tradition Saint Petronius, a bishop during the 5th century, built the first basilica. He actually wished a building that recalled the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Seen here is the facade of the Chiesa del Crocifisso. To the left is the Basilica del Sepolcro ("Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre"), a rotunda, further left (behind the white truck) the facade of the Basilica dei SS. Vitale e Agricola.