{"id":332,"date":"2026-10-09T19:46:44","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T23:46:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pugliabu1927.live-website.com\/?p=332"},"modified":"2026-11-01T12:22:10","modified_gmt":"2026-11-01T17:22:10","slug":"basilica-di-santa-caterina-dalessandria-galatina-italy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pugliaperfectvacations.com\/de\/basilica-di-santa-caterina-dalessandria-galatina-italy\/","title":{"rendered":"Basilika von Santa Caterina d\u2019Alessandria, Galatina, Italien"},"content":{"rendered":"

Basilica di Santa Caterina d’Alessandria<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n

a Masterpiece in Galatina, Italy<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n

\"\"The Sistine Chapel of Southern Italy<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nThis beautiful church, built in the 14th century, is known for its stunning frescoes and architecture.\u00a0 The Basilica di Santa Caterina d’ Alessandria is important because it houses the relics of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a revered Christian saint and martyr.\u00a0 Saint Catherine is considered one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers (The 14 Holy Helpers are a group of Catholic saints who were believed to be particularly powerful intercessors in times of trouble and illness.)\u00a0 Saint Catherine is a patron saint of students, philosophers, preachers, and women, among others.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Behind the Alter of Santa Caterina Basilica<\/em>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nSanta Caterina’s is an amazing example of Baroque architecture in southern Italy.\u00a0 In addition, Gothic and Apulian Romanesque styles reflect the diverse cultural influences of the region.\u00a0 The basilica is built in the shape of a Latin cross, with a central nave and two side aisles. The exterior features a beautiful fa\u00e7ade decorated with a central rose window, intricate carvings and statues.\r\n\r\nThe interior of the basilica is impressive, with a grand altar and breathtaking frescoes adorning the walls and ceiling- so many that it is sometimes compared to the church of St. Francis of Assisi. The colors and images are magnificent and you can see where ancient graffiti appears on a few. The altar is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria, the patron saint of the basilica. The nave is lined with ornate chapels, each dedicated to a different saint or religious figure.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThis ancient basilica contains stunning, bright frescoes, so many that it is sometimes compared to the church of St. Francis of Assisi. The colors and images are magnificent and you can see where ancient graffiti appears on a few.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Fresco Inside Santa Catarina Basilica<\/em>\r\n

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Are there some Frescos unfinished in the Basilica?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nThe interior of the Basilica was frescoed in the late 14th century by local artists, building upon older fragments in some areas. S<\/span>ome areas were left incomplete, adding to the unique history of the Basilica’s interior.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n

Who was Saint Catherine of Alexandria?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n \r\n\r\nSanta Caterina d’ Alessandria, also known as Saint Catherine of Alexandria, was a Christian saint and virgin martyr who lived in the early 4th century. She is famous for her unwavering faith and staunch defense of Christianity, as well as her intellectual prowess. According to legend, she was highly educated and engaged in debates with pagan philosophers, ultimately converting many of them to Christianity. She is also known for her martyrdom, during which she was tortured and eventually executed by Emperor Maxentius in the early 4th century. She was sentenced to death because she refused to renounce her Christian faith and worship the Roman gods.\u00a0 Saint Catherine of Alexandria is recognized as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers in the Roman Catholic Church and is venerated as a patron saint of scholars, students, philosophers, and unmarried women. Her feast day is celebrated on November 25th.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n

Santa Caterina d’ Alessandria by Caravaggio<\/em><\/p>\r\n \r\n

What is the origin of the\u00a0Basilica di Santa Caterina d’Alessandria?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nThis incredible church was the dream of a wealthy feudal lord, Raimondello Orsini del Balzo Prince of Taranto and lord of the entire Salento territory.\u00a0 As the wealthiest noble in Salento, his ambition was to build an important church dedicated to Saint Catherine, and he would go to great length to achieve his dream.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n

Stolen Relics?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n \r\n

The finger of St. Catherine<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nLegend has it that Raimondello went to visit the Holy Land to see the relics and Sanctuary of Santa Catherine d’ Alexandria.\u00a0 \u00a0He kissed the hand of the Saint, and actually bit off her finger- to bring the relic to Galatina.\u00a0 Raimondello knew that possession of such an important relic would raise the status of his church- which was then designated as a Basilica by the Pope.\r\n\r\nFollowing his return from the Holy Land he commissioned the church and had it built between 1383 and 1385.\u00a0 With the Holy relic of St. Catherine, Galatina became an important destination for pilgrims -then and now.\u00a0 \u00a0Raimondello died in 1406, and his wife, Maria d\u2019Enghien, continued the work on the basilica.\r\n\r\nThe Basilica di Santa Caterina d’Alessandria remains an important religious and cultural site in Galatina, attracting visitors from all over the world to admire its stunning architecture and pay homage to Saint.\u00a0 The basilica is an important pilgrimage site for devotees of the saint, and her remains are still venerated there today.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n

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Learn more about<\/strong> St Catherine of Alexandria<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n

The Breast of St. Agatha<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nIn 1040 the Byzantines recaptured Sicily.\u00a0 Giorgio Maniace wanted to favor the sovereigns, and ordered the transfer of the precious relics of Catania.\u00a0 The relics of St. Agatha of Catania, and St. Lucia of Syracuse were taken away to Constantinople.\u00a0 These relics were already venerated throughout the Mediterranean, and a great sense of pride for the Catanians.\r\n\r\nEighty six years later, two soldiers devoted to St. Agatha had recurring dreams where St. Agatha appeared to them.\u00a0 They went to Constantinople, snuck into the church, and stole back St. Agatha’s relics.\u00a0 They cut St. Agatha’s body into 5 parts to evade detection and managed to escape on a ship to Sicily.\u00a0 There is recorded history that this relic remained in Gallipoli for over 250 years \u2014 until Raimondello Orsini del Balzo, the same nobleman who bit off St. Catherine’s finger, quietly moved it to his new basilica in Galatina around 1380.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n

Learn more about<\/strong> St. Agatha of Catania<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\"Fresco\r\n\r\n\"fresco\r\n

Why do people make pilgrimages to this Basilica?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nPeople make pilgrimages to this church to honor and seek the intercession of Saint Catherine, to offer prayers and thanksgiving, and to seek spiritual guidance and inspiration. The basilica is also a place of pilgrimage for those seeking healing, especially from illnesses related to the throat and education.\r\n\r\nThe church’s history, architecture, and connection to the life of Saint Catherine make it a significant and sacred site for many believers.\r\n

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What can I see in the intricate murals and frescos on the walls of\u00a0Basilica di Santa Caterina d’Alessandria?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n \r\n\r\nThe murals and frescos in the Basilica di Santa Caterina d’Alessandria are captivating with various stories from the life of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, the patron saint of the church. These stories include her vision of Jesus and the Virgin Mary, her debate with pagan philosophers, her martyrdom, and her subsequent coronation in heaven. Biblical scenes include stories from Genesis, the Seven Sacraments, the Archangels, the Apocalypse and more.\u00a0 The artwork in the basilica serves to educate and inspire worshippers and visitors about the Bible and the life and miracles of Saint Catherine.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nOne of the most important frescos inside the Church of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria is the painting of St. Catherine of Alexandria, the patron saint of the church. This fresco is located above the main altar and depicts St. Catherine in a regal pose, holding a martyr’s palm and a book symbolizing her wisdom and knowledge. The painting is considered a masterpiece of Renaissance art and is highly revered by the church’s congregation\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n

What other features should I look for in the\u00a0Basilica of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nThe interior of the church \u00a0soars upward, featuring a magnificent cross vault. There is a riot of columns and capitals, vaults, and counter-facades entirely covered with a kaleidoscope of frescoes.\r\n\r\nThere are three Naves:\r\n\r\nThe Apocolypse<\/strong> – Scenes from the Book of Revelation\r\n\r\nThe Genesis<\/strong> – Stories from the book of Genesis including Adam and Eve disobeying God\r\n\r\nLife of Christ<\/strong> – Scenes from the life of Christ and golden angels\r\n\r\nAnd in the Presbytery- Scenes rom the lives of St. Catherine, and St. Francis<\/strong><\/em>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\n \r\n

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Why is the church(chiesa) of St. Catherine a Basilica?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nThe church of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria became a basilica due to its historical and architectural significance. The title of basilica is usually granted by the Pope to churches that hold special importance, such as historical or religious significance, or for having particular architectural features.\r\n\r\nThe main difference between a church and a basilica is in the title and status. A basilica is a large and important church that has been granted the title by the Pope.\u00a0 Basilicas typically have a larger size, grander architecture, and a higher status within the Catholic Church compared to regular churches.\r\n
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The beautiful Cloister of Santa Caterina D’Alessandria Church<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n
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After the charm of the interior of Santa Caterina, be sure to check out the fascinating quadriportico that forms the cloister.\u00a0 Franciscan frescoes that represent some dramatic events and figures that exalt moral and Christian virtues.\u00a0 This beautiful area is right\u00a0 next to the church.<\/div>\r\n
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So many beautiful Frescoes in the Cloister<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\r\n
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Plan your visit to the Basilica of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria in Galatina<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n \r\n\r\nPlan a guided tour- Alot more than just a pretty church.\u00a0 If you are interested in learning more about the basilica and its history, consider taking a guided tour.\u00a0 The Basilica is a living embodiment of the history, culture, and religious tradition of Galatina, and of Puglia.\r\n\r\nAs a place of worship, it is important to dress respectfully when visiting the basilica.\u00a0 Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered.\r\n\r\nThe Basilica is nestled in the heart of historic Galatina.\u00a0 Located in Piazza Orsini, the Santa Caterina d\u2019Alessandria is open between 8:30am and 12:30pm, and then open again from 4:30 to 8:30pm.\r\n\r\nPray, Meditate, Learn, Enjoy…\r\n\r\n \r\n
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These frescos are especially interesting and don’t seem to belong<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

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Read about the Restoration of the Basilica of Santa Caterina of Alexandria<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n

FAQ’s on the Basilica of Santa Caterina<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

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How many Bible stories are painted on the basilica walls, and why?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nDozens \u2014 the basilica holds three great fresco cycles, one per nave: the stories of Genesis (Creation, Adam and Eve, the Flood), the Life of Christ, and the Apocalypse from the Book of Revelation, plus scenes of St. Catherine and St. Francis in the presbytery. No single catalog numbers every scene, but standing inside you’re surrounded by scores of them.\r\n\r\nThey were painted this way on purpose. In the 1300s, most worshippers couldn’t read \u2014 so the walls became what art historians call a Biblia pauperum, a “Bible of the poor.” Every farmer and shepherd who walked in could follow Creation, the life of Jesus, and the end of the world in pictures, learning Scripture the way we learn from film today. The frescoes weren’t decoration; they were the sermon.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n

When is the Basilica of Santa Caterina open, and do I need a ticket?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nOpening hours vary by season and around religious services, so check before you go \u2014 the basilica is an active church, not a museum. Entry to the church itself is generally free; guided tours of the fresco cycles and cloister usually run for a small fee and are worth every cent, since the guides explain scenes you’d otherwise walk past. Mornings are quietest.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n

How long should I allow for a visit?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nPlan at least an hour \u2014 ninety minutes if you take the guided tour. The three naves each carry a different fresco cycle (Genesis, the Apocalypse, the Life of Christ), plus the presbytery’s scenes of St. Catherine and St. Francis, and the cloister next door. This is not a ten-minute photo stop; the detail rewards slow looking.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n

Why is it called the\u00a0\u00a0“Sistine Chapel of Southern Italy”?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nBecause of the sheer density of the frescoes. Like the Sistine Chapel, nearly every surface \u2014 walls, vaults, counter-facade \u2014 is painted, turning the whole building into a single illustrated Bible. The nickname is a tribute to the overwhelming visual impact, not a claim about the painters’ fame.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n

Who painted the frescoes?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nThey’re attributed to local 14th-century painters working in the Giottesque tradition \u2014 artists following Giotto’s revolutionary naturalism, with its lifelike figures and emotional storytelling. No single famous name is attached, which is part of the mystery: unknown Salentine masters produced one of the great fresco cycles of medieval Italy.\r\n\r\n \r\n

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Why are some of the frescoes in the basilica unfinished?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nNo document spells out the reason, but the circumstances point to the usual medieval culprits. The great fresco campaign was Raimondello Orsini del Balzo’s personal project \u2014 when he died in 1406, his widow Maria d’Enghien carried it on, but patronage is fragile: money, wars, and shifting priorities interrupt even the grandest plans. Fresco cycles were also painted in sections as scaffolding moved and funds allowed, so a pause could simply become permanent. Ironically, the unfinished patches are now part of the basilica’s charm \u2014 they show the work in progress, the sinopia sketches and bare plaster behind the masterpiece.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n

Why is St. Catherine always shown with a wheel?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nThe wheel was her intended instrument of torture: Emperor Maxentius ordered her broken on a spiked wheel, which according to legend shattered at her touch. She was beheaded instead \u2014 but the “Catherine wheel” stuck as her attribute, and she’s now also the patron saint of wheelwrights, millers, and anyone who works with wheels. Fireworks carry the name too.\r\n\r\nYou can see the scene itself in the basilica: the St. Catherine fresco cycle in the presbytery includes “La tortura della ruota,” the torture of the wheel.\u00a0 She is \u2014 haloed at the center with the spiked wheels shattering around her, exactly as the legend tells it. (Photo from Italy’s Ministry of Culture archive)\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n

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What is the most important fresco in the Basilica of Santa Caterina d’ Alessandria?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nThe most venerated:\u00a0<\/strong> St. Catherine above the main altar \u2014 the patron saint in a regal pose with the martyr’s palm and book \u2014 is the devotional centerpiece and the image most guides point to first.\r\n\r\nThe critics’ pick:<\/span><\/strong> the Michelin guide singles out the New Testament cycle<\/span> as “the most sumptuous and best composed” of all the frescoes \u2014 so if “most important” means artistic peak rather than devotional focus, that’s the answer.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n

What is the feast of Santa Caterina like in Galatina?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nNovember 25th is Galatina’s big day. Expect solemn Masses at the basilica, a procession with the saint’s statue through the old town, and the usual Salento festival trimmings \u2014 lights, music, and food stalls. If you’re visiting for the art, come the week before or after; if you want the living tradition, come on the day.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n

What is the ancient graffiti on the basilica walls?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nCenturies of pilgrims scratched names, dates, prayers, and small drawings into the plaster \u2014 some of it medieval. Guides point out the most legible examples during tours. It’s an accidental archive of devotion: ordinary visitors leaving their mark on a masterpiece, the way they still do today (though now it’s frowned upon).\r\n

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Is photography allowed inside the basilica?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nPolicies can change, but flash photography is generally discouraged or forbidden near the frescoes \u2014 flash damages pigments over time. Non-flash photos for personal use are usually tolerated. When in doubt, ask the guide or check the signs at the entrance, and never photograph during Mass.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n

How do I get to Galatina fro<\/strong>m Lecce?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nIt’s about 25 minutes south of Lecce by car \u2014 an easy half-day trip. Regional trains also connect Lecce and Galatina in roughly the same time, and the basilica is walkable from the Galatina station. Pair it with lunch in the old town and, if it’s morning, a pasticciotto where it was invented.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n

What is the difference between St. Catherine of Alexandria and St. Catherine of Siena?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nThey’re two different saints, often confused. Catherine of Alexandria is the 4th-century martyr of the wheel, venerated at Galatina. Catherine of Siena lived a thousand years later (1347\u20131380), was a Dominican mystic and Doctor of the Church, and her relics are in Siena.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n

Why is St. Agatha important to the Basilica of Santa Caterina?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nBecause the basilica holds one of her breasts as a relic. Agatha was martyred in Sicily around 251 AD under Emperor Decius: after she refused the proconsul Quinziano, he had her breasts torn off with iron pincers \u2014 which is why she’s traditionally depicted carrying them on a plate beside the pincers.\r\n\r\nThe relic’s journey to Galatina is a theft story. It reached Puglia in 1126, when sailors returning St. Agatha’s stolen remains from Constantinople left one breast in Gallipoli. It stayed there over 250 years \u2014 until Raimondello Orsini del Balzo, the same nobleman who bit off St. Catherine’s finger, quietly moved it to his new basilica in Galatina around 1380. Gallipoli tried repeatedly to reclaim it, and someone even erased the town’s coat of arms from the reliquary base to hide its origins. Unlike St. Catherine, Agatha has no fresco cycle here \u2014 but she does have a large painting in the basilica. Her importance in the building rests on the relic and that canvas, not the medieval walls.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\n \r\n

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Other Must-See religious sites in Galatina<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n \r\n

\"\"Mother Church of St. Peter and St. Paul<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nThe church of St. Peter and Paul is a late baroque architecture church carved in Lecce stone.\u00a0 The beautiful interiors feature frescoes telling stories from the life of St. Peter.\u00a0 The church is located in the town’s main square.\u00a0 It is difficult to date the church but appears to have started construction in the 14th century, but was extensively reconstructed after an earthquake.\r\n

The town was recorded as “St. Peter in Galatina” in a document dating from 1188, which captures the legend that the apostle Peter stopped here on his way to Rome around 42 AD.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

\"\"The Chapel and St. Paul’s well<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nThis historic well and tiny Chapel are located in a Piazza via Garibaldi 7\r\n\r\nSt. Paul is known for battling a snake in Malta, and became known as the protector against poisonous animal bites and stings.\u00a0\u00a0The Apostle Saint Paul stopped in Galatina on his way to Rome. He was provided lodging by a noble family and as thanks, he gave them a well that happens to cure maladies inflicted by poisonous animals.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n

Tarantulas?<\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\r\nGalatina is historically linked to the cult of Tarantism<\/a>, an illness caused by a spider bite.\u00a0 Are there Tarantulas in Southern Italy?\u00a0 NO <\/em>\u00a0The translation actually means spider (not Tarantula), and probably refers to the Wolf spider- While the name “Tarantula” is commonly used for the wolf spider Lycosa tarantula. It’s important to note that true tarantulas belong to a different spider family- and the Wolf Spider is venomous, but not considered particularly toxic to humans.\u00a0 The spider may have been blamed for a number of maladies that Southern Italian villagers could not understand centuries ago.\r\n\r\nThe Greek mythology of Arachne may also have fed this tradition.\u00a0 Peasant villager, Arachne, thought herself better than the deities, especially in the art of weaving wool.\u00a0 Athena challenged Arachne to a weaving contest.\u00a0 Athena\u2019s tapestry depicted scenes of the Gods in their glory, but Arachne\u2019s weaving illustrated the misdeeds and indiscretions of the gods, especially Zeus, and Athena.\u00a0 In a fit of rage, Athena destroyed Arachne’s tapestry and loom.\u00a0 In the end, Athena took \u201cpity\u201d on Arachne and transformed her into a spider, condemning her to weave forever.\r\n

The ‘Cure’<\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\r\nThe tradition held that part of the cure for the spider maladies would be the dance of the frenetic Tarantella <\/a>.\u00a0 The maladies were different though, and required the ailing woman to pull a colored ribbon.\u00a0 This ribbon would then instruct the musicians on the particular curative music to be played for the suffering victim.\r\n\r\nThis well and the tiny chapel (via Garibaldi 7) have been the center of Tarantism for centuries. Each year-victims from all over Southern Italy would come to Galatina and perform a ritual exorcism that involved drinking sulfur water from the well (which was vomited directly back into the well), a visit to the chapel and the performance of a spider-dance to the frenzied sounds of accordion, tambourine, violin and guitar.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\"Pizzica\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIn the 1960s the church condemned the rituals for the people of Galatina.\u00a0 Tarantism became taboo. The dance was getting to be an embarrassment to the church – occasionally obscene with women ripping their clothes off and climbing walls. The rituals highlighted an unenlightened peasant culture, and the ‘miraculous’ well was now contaminating more people than it cured. The chapel and Saint Paul\u2019s well\u00a0 fell into disrepair and were closed off to the public.\r\n\r\nThe sites have recently been restored and reopened, and musicians and dancers of all ages still flock to Galatina on June 29 to play the traditional peasant songs, wave the colored ribbons, and scarves -and dance the Tarantella.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n

A Purgatory Church in Galatina?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n \r\n

Church of the Holy Souls in Purgatory (Madonna delle Grazie)<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\"\"This sacred space is dedicated to the souls in purgatory and the Virgin Mary.\u00a0 \u00a0Catholic Purgatory churches are where you went to pray for people who may not be in Heaven or Hell (limbo<\/em>).\u00a0 The Catholic church seems to have de-emphasized Purgatory in recent years.\r\n\r\nThis Octagonal church was constructed in the early 18th century.\u00a0 You will see skeletons on the exterior and on the altar.\u00a0 The skeletons are symbolic representations of mortality and the journey of the soul after death.\r\n\r\nThe interior is made up of a single high nave, with the characteristic coffered ceiling, with an octagonal plan, horizontally scanned in three orders and illuminated by six large, richly sculpted windows adorned with pairs of angels with cornucopias.\u00a0 \u00a0the High Altar there is a large canvas depicting the Virgin pouring the “suffrage” to extinguish the flames of the Souls who, after having served their sentence, are lifted from Purgatory.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n