San Simplicio, Olbia, Romanesque minor basilica in Olbia, Italy
San Simplicio is a three-nave basilica in Olbia, Sardinia, built from local granite stone. The building features a central facade with three windows and an apse facing west, decorated with corbels and a pediment.
A church occupied this location from the late 6th century until it was replaced in the late 11th century by the current building. The site had been a Carthaginian burial ground before its religious use began.
The basilica houses the relics of Saint Simplicio, which were discovered in the 1600s. Two frescoes inside show Saint Simplicio and Victor of Fausania, reminding visitors of the saints connected to this place.
The basilica is open to visitors during regular hours and can be explored at your own pace. Guided tours are available if you prefer to learn more from someone familiar with the building.
The building displays uncommon architectural features such as its western orientation, which is unusual for churches of this period. The granite columns were skillfully carved despite the material's resistance to detailed sculpting.
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