Santa Caterina d'Alessandria, Minor basilica in Galatina, Italy
Santa Caterina d'Alessandria is a basilica in Galatina, built in a Romanesque style with clear Gothic influences in the tall arches and pointed vaults. The facade shows three wooden portals with carved bands of Pietra Leccese stone, displaying crosses and coats of arms of its patrons.
Work began in 1369 at the request of Raimondello Orsini del Balzo, who obtained a relic of Saint Catherine during a crusade. After his death in 1406, his wife Maria d'Enghien brought artists from Siena to cover the walls with frescoes.
The name recalls Catherine of Alexandria, whose relic is kept here and draws believers to this day. Visitors can see people praying in the chapels or pausing before the frescoes throughout the day.
The church is open to visitors during the day and holds services throughout the year. Those who wish to look at the frescoes inside should allow time, as many details appear in the chapels and along the walls.
The frescoes show not only biblical scenes but also details of daily life in the 15th century, including clothing and objects from that period. Some chapels contain lesser known stories of saints that visitors often overlook when focusing only on the main images.
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