Cattolica di Stilo, Byzantine church in Stilo, Italy
Cattolica di Stilo is a Byzantine church in Stilo, Calabria, with a square floor plan and five domes supported by four columns. The central dome rises higher than the four surrounding smaller domes and defines the architectural profile of the structure.
The building was constructed in the 9th century under Byzantine rule in Calabria. Arabic inscriptions inside confirm that the structure served Christian and Muslim communities at different times.
The name derives from the Greek word katholiki, which referred to churches with baptismal fonts. Byzantine frescoes on the interior walls show religious scenes that visitors can still observe today.
The church is open daily from morning until sunset. Multilingual guided tours can be arranged through the local cultural office.
The columns inside carry different capitals that may have come from ancient Roman temples. This reuse of older building elements was common in Byzantine architecture and gave each piece its own history.
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