Santa Maria in Betlem, Romanesque church in Borgo district, Pavia, Italy.
Description
Santa Maria in Betlem is a church with three naves and a central dome that brings light into the interior space. The sandstone facade is decorated with blind arcades and features a carefully crafted entrance portal.
History
The building was constructed in 1130 and replaced an earlier structure from the Carolingian period. Traces of the original structure remain accessible today through a trapdoor in the floor.
Culture
The church served as a gathering place where different groups could practice their own devotions, with each chapel and altar arranged to suit specific religious purposes. The interior fittings show what local worshippers valued and how their religious life developed over time.
Practical
You can visit during regular hours, and guided tours are available if you arrange them in advance. The location on Via dei Mille 102 makes it easy to find and reach on foot.
Did you know?
The facade displays Arab and Byzantine ceramic plates from the 12th century, which reveal how medieval Pavia connected to distant trade routes. These decorative elements show the kind of exotic goods that arrived in the city during that era.
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