Cathedral of Saint Conrad, Romanesque cathedral in Molfetta, Italy
The Cathedral of Saint Conrad is a Romanesque church featuring three prominent domes resting on hexagonal drums and two bell towers flanking either side. The structure displays characteristic features of Apulian Romanesque with masonry designed to endure for centuries.
Construction of the cathedral began in the mid-1100s and was completed around 1200, with the building initially dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. It was renamed in honor of Saint Conrad in the late 1700s.
The interior contains a baptismal font from the 1500s and carved stone pieces from the 1200s showing religious scenes. These artworks reveal how medieval craftsmen worked and what people believed during that era.
The cathedral sits near Molfetta's port area and is easy to reach on foot when walking through the historic center. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since the paths to the building go over cobblestones, and the best time to explore is during cooler morning or evening hours.
The southern bell tower was not originally built as a church tower but served the city as a watchtower against sea raiders. This defensive tower shows different architecture with its thick stones and straight lines compared to the northern tower, which was designed specifically for church bells.
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