Conversano (Italy): Discover Ancient Norba. (Part Two)

^{The Basilica Cathedral of Conversano}

The Cathedral of Conversano, dedicated to the Virgin of the Assumption and Saint Flaviano, like many other local Church in Apulia follows the same Romanesque style. It dates from the eleventh century but it was renovated in in the mid-fourteenth century retaining the original style.

Perfectly integrated into the historical centre of Conversano, it seems to reflect the town's ancient vocation for art. In fact, I could affirm - without fear of contradiction - it is a fantastic place to spend extra time for a photography enthusiast and this is thanks to a lot of detail to be photographed.

And the number of pictures attached to this post is a proof of that!

The main portal is called "door magna" and has a pair of stone lions guarding the gate. But it is looking up that you will see what I was talking about before. In fact, it is richly decorated following the Byzantine Lombardo style; the archway consists, in its turn, of three semicircles adorned with zoomorphic figures, vegetables and the Twelve Apostles with a central bust of Christ.

There are two smaller side doors: the left one is that of St. George and the right one is that of St. Peter. In addition to the three portal on the main facade, there are two minor portals per each side of the Cathedral. The central rose window is quite impressive with its four metres in diameter; it has undergone major renovations along the centuries but preserves its medieval origins.

The exterior sides of the Cathedral are decorated with many precious statues and bas-reliefs, especially on the lunettes of the portals: the Madonna with Child, Saints Cosmas and Damian, an angel placed on a pedestal, the Cry on the Cross are represented on the lunettes of the four minor portals on the side of the Cathedral.

The fact that Pope John Paul II raised the status of the Cathedral to Basilica Minor in 1997 also bears testimony to the importance of this Church.

Well I'll leave you to the pictures of this beautiful Cathedral and I suggest you do not miss the next part where I will talk about of its interior.

^{Detail of a statue of the Cathedral}

^{The main portal also called "door magna"}

^{Rose window on the main facade}

^{Rose window on the main facade}

^{The Cathedral's principal façade}

^{Inscription on the façade}

^{Stone lions guarding the gate}

^{Detail of a decorated capital}

^{Capital decorated with allegorical figures}

^{Lunette of the main portal}

^{Particular view of the main facade}

^{Posterior lateral view of the Basilica Catehdral}

^{One of the bell towers}

^{Minor portals on the left side of the Church}

^{Datail of the lunette of the minor portal}

^{Datail of the lunette of the minor portal}

^{Detail of a decorated capital}

^{Bas-reliefs of the minor portal}

^{Datail of the lunette of the minor portal}

^{Minor portals on the left side of the Church}

^{Datail of the lunette of the minor portal}

^{Datail of the lunette of the minor portal}

^{Bas-reliefs of the minor portal}

^{Datail of the lunette of the minor portal}

^{Decorations on the cornice of the lateral façade}

^{Main facade of the Basilica Cathedral of Conversano}

^{The main portal also called "door magna"}

^{Stone lions guarding the gate}

^{Lunette of the main portal}

^{Lateral view of the Basilica Catehdral}

^{Stone-made statue}

^{Datail of the lunette of the main portal}

^{Datail of the lunette of the main portal}

^{Main facade of the Basilica Cathedral of Conversano}

^{Datail of the stone-made statue of the main portal}

All photos taken by me. Some photos contain some Lightroom post processing. All rights reserved.

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