Santa Margherita, Romanesque church in Bisceglie, Italy.
Santa Margherita is a Romanesque church in Bisceglie with a gabled facade, lunette portal, circular window, and pyramid-shaped roof covered in local limestone slabs. The structure displays the clean lines and geometric forms typical of the Romanesque style in the region.
Construction of this church began in 1197 when commissioned by Falco, a judge of the Imperial Curia in medieval Bisceglie. The building arose during an era when the town was shaped by powerful families who used religious structures to demonstrate their authority.
Three ornate tombs on the exterior were crafted by skilled Apulian artisans in the 13th century to honor members of the powerful Falcone family. These burial markers reflect both the family's importance and the fine craftsmanship valued in the region.
The church stands on Via Santa Margherita near the castle of Bisceglie. Note that the interior is not typically open to visitors, so a visit focuses mainly on viewing the exterior facade and the tombs outside.
The interior follows a contracted Greek cross floor plan crowned by a dome supported on pendentives. This structural arrangement is uncommon in Apulian churches and reflects influences from broader Mediterranean building traditions.
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