{"id":2056,"date":"2017-04-24T08:58:53","date_gmt":"2017-04-24T08:58:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.foodismo.it\/?p=2056"},"modified":"2024-11-13T12:47:14","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T11:47:14","slug":"otranto-byzantine-church-of-saint-peter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nuovo.foodismo.it\/en\/place-to-go\/otranto\/otranto-byzantine-church-of-saint-peter\/","title":{"rendered":"Otranto: Byzantine church of Saint Peter"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the heart of the historical centre, in the town centre, near Piazza del Popolo, you can reach the Byzantine Church of St. Peter\u2019s, going up a small staircase.
\nA small pearl. Beautiful. Entirely frescoed, the church of San Pietro is a precious testimony to the Byzantine dominion in the Land of \u00f4Otranto<\/a>.
\nThe sacred building is the first basilica in the city, elected metropolis in 960 and dependent on the patriarchal seat of Constantinople.
\nHis dating has been the subject of a long debate among scholars, but analyzing the structure, frescoes and inscriptions in ancient Greek, all seems to date back to the ninth-Xth century.
\nThe square Greek cross-shaped plan is part of the strict canons of Byzantine religious architecture.
\nInside, the three small naves are surmounted by a central dome, supported by four columns.
\nOn each of the three apses, arranged at the bottom, there are splendid frescoes in Byzantine style dating from the X and XVI century.
\nThe oldest paintings are the Lavender of the Feet, which depicts the kneeling Christ while lifting the leg of St. Peter, and the Last Supper.
\nTo the fourteenth century belong the Nativity, Pentecost and Resurrection.
\nThe Presentation of Jesus at the Temple and the different figures of the Saints date back to the 16th century.
\nSmall legend: it is said that St. Peter is passed by Otranto.<\/p>\n