Andria Cathedral, Romanesque cathedral in Andria, Italy
Andria Cathedral is a Romanesque cathedral in the heart of Andria, a city in the Apulia region of southern Italy. It has three naves, ten chapels arranged around its perimeter, and a square bell tower that rises above the city center.
A Norman ruler ordered the construction of this cathedral in the 12th century, building over the foundations of an earlier church from the 7th century. The lower level still preserves parts of that earlier structure beneath the current building.
The cathedral houses a chapel with a splinter venerated as a fragment from the crown of thorns of Jesus Christ. This draws pilgrims from across the region who come specifically to pray in that chapel.
The cathedral is open daily and visitors can explore the main church, the underground level, and any temporary exhibitions on display. Going in the early morning or late afternoon tends to mean fewer people inside.
The underground level contains the tombs of two wives of Emperor Frederick II, giving this church a direct link to medieval imperial history. Few religious buildings in the region can claim such a close connection to a ruling dynasty of that era.
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