San Severino abate, Romanesque church in San Severo, Italy.
San Severino abate is a Romanesque church in San Severo featuring a single nave arranged in a Latin cross layout with limestone blocks forming the medieval lower section of the facade. The building houses five historical bells, with the largest one, San Severino, dating from 1766.
The church is first documented in 1059 and underwent major transformations, including a reconsecration in 1224 and reconstruction after the 1627 earthquake. These phases shaped the current structure and show how the building endured through several centuries.
The interior contains several altars in different styles, including a Venetian school painting of the Madonna of Constantinople and carved wooden choir stalls. These artistic elements reflect the long tradition of devotion at this place and how different generations expressed their faith through art.
The building is regularly open for religious services and can be visited. The best time to visit is during posted hours, and it is wise to check ahead for current access information.
The building features an intentionally tilted apse designed to represent a reclined head within the Latin cross structure. This unusual architectural choice is often overlooked by visitors and gives the interior space a subtle, surprising quality.
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