Nardò Cathedral, Minor basilica and Roman Catholic cathedral in Nardò, Italy.
Nardò Cathedral is a Romanesque church in the historic center of Nardò, in the Apulia region of southern Italy. It is divided into three naves separated by columns, with a central altar flanked by walnut wood pews.
Construction began in 1080 on the site of an earlier church called Sancta Maria de Neritorio, founded by monks who had fled religious persecution in the Middle East. Over the following centuries the building was enlarged and its interior was gradually enriched with artworks.
Inside, paintings from the 14th and 15th centuries line the walls alongside a wooden crucifix carved from cedar dating to the 13th century. These works are still part of an active parish and can be seen during a normal visit.
The cathedral sits in the center of Nardò's old town and is easy to reach on foot. Since it functions as an active parish church, access may be limited during services or religious celebrations.
In 2013, the Italian Post issued a commemorative stamp to mark the cathedral's 600-year milestone, making it one of the few religious buildings in southern Italy to be honored in this way. The stamp quickly became a collector's item.
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