Basilica of San Martino

About

In 1747, the archpriest Isidoro Chirulli decided to replace the town’s older Romanesque church with something more striking. His baroque basilica slowly emerged over the next 30 years, and now dominates the Piazza Plebiscito, with its striking striking baroque flourishes. The limestone facade is ornamented with bas-relief pilasters and capitals, and crowned with a high-relief portraying St. Martin cutting his cloak in two. Side niches house statues of Santa Comasia, Santa Martina and San Giuseppe, all of which is watched over by the original Romanesque bell tower. The interior is richly decorated in multicolored marble. At the high altar a 16th century statue of Saint Martin presides over the inlayed pulpit. Next to the chapel, the Presbytery houses the Basilica's rich treasury, including silver statues of the city's patron saints, and an assortment of sacred relics.