Convento degli Agostiniani, Baroque convent in Melpignano, Italy.
The Convento degli Agostiniani is a baroque convent in Melpignano with a church featuring a single nave, six lateral chapels, and a cloister containing nine arches supported by decorated columns. The religious complex forms a unified architectural composition combining worship and monastic spaces.
Construction of the convent began in 1573 when the Augustinian order received the Church of Carmine, marking a shift from Greek-Byzantine to Latin influences in the region. This establishment was part of a broader ecclesiastical reorganization of the territory.
The convent hosts the Festival della Notte della Taranta, featuring traditional music performances that draw visitors from across Europe to the site. The event transforms the religious space into a vibrant gathering place for contemporary cultural expression.
The complex is undergoing extensive restoration work including facade repairs and internal maintenance due to water damage in the church structure. Visitors should expect that some areas may not be fully accessible during these ongoing repairs.
The cloister contains a decorated well marked with a double-headed eagle representing the Castriota Scanderberg family, along with numerous Latin inscriptions carved into the columns. These details reveal noble connections that influenced the convent's development.
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