Cattedrale di Trani
Puglia
Trani Cathedral, officially known as Basilica Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta and commonly called Cattedrale di San Nicola Pellegrino, is a prominent Latin Catholic cathedral located in Trani, Apulia, southern Italy. Consecrated in 1143, it is a prime example of Apulian Romanesque architecture, constructed primarily from the local calcareous tuff stone, notable for its almost white, light pink hue. The cathedral is distinguished by its imposing transept facing the sea, its elegant blind arcades, and the unusual use of a high pointed arch beneath the 59-meter bell tower, a rare feature in Romanesque design. The church is elevated about five meters above ground level, built atop a crypt that preserves the earlier 4th-century church of Santa Maria della Scala. Its façade features a double staircase leading to a gallery and a richly decorated Romanesque portal influenced by Islamic art, including a central bronze door crafted by Barisano da Trani in 1175. Inside, the cathedral has a nave and two aisles separated by double columns supporting side matronaei, with cross-vaulted ceilings in the aisles and a more austere nave truss roof. Although much of the original interior decoration has been lost, fragments of medieval mosaics remain in the presbytery, including the notable allegory of Alexander the Great flying to heaven. Beneath the main floor lies the lower church, containing the crypt of St. Nicholas the Pilgrim, whose relics are preserved there, and the crypt of St. Mary. The cathedral’s isolated position near the coast allows it to be a visible landmark from both land and sea, embodying centuries of religious and architectural heritage.
Plan your trip to Italy with AI
Create a detailed itinerary in minutes. AI suggests the best places, restaurants, and an optimized route.
Tip: Visitors are advised to explore the cathedral during the morning or late afternoon to enjoy softer light on the façade and avoid peak crowds. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended, especially during the tourist season, to ensure entry and access to guided tours. Modest dress is required as it is an active place of worship. The cathedral is accessible via a short walk from the city center, and guided tours often include explanations of its unique Romanesque features and crypts. Discounts may be available for students, seniors, and groups. Check the official website or contact the cathedral directly for up-to-date visitor information and special events.
Interesting facts
- •The cathedral is built from a distinctive local stone called calcareous tuff, which gives it a unique pale pink color.
- •The bronze doors of the cathedral, created by Barisano da Trani in 1175, are among the most important examples of medieval bronze work in southern Italy.
- •The bell tower features a rare pointed arch passage underneath, an uncommon element in Romanesque architecture.
- •The cathedral's mosaics include an allegory of Alexander the Great flying to heaven, a unique medieval artistic motif.
- •The lower church contains the crypt of St. Nicholas the Pilgrim, whose relics are preserved there, and a hypogeum decorated with ancient frescoes beneath sea level.
History
Construction of Trani Cathedral began in 1099 atop the site of an earlier 4th-century church, Santa Maria della Scala.
It was intended to house the relics of Saint Nicholas the Pilgrim, who died in Trani in 1094 and was canonized shortly thereafter.
The cathedral was consecrated in 1143, even before its completion.
The main phase of construction likely occurred between 1159 and 1186 under Bishop Bertrando II, with the building essentially complete by 1200 except for the bell tower, which was finished in the 14th century.
The bell tower was later dismantled and rebuilt in the 1950s to ensure structural stability.
Throughout the centuries, the cathedral has remained a significant religious and cultural symbol in the region, known as the "Queen of the Cathedrals of Puglia."
Place Guide
Façade and Portal12th century
The façade is accessed via a double staircase leading to a gallery and features a richly decorated Romanesque portal with Islamic artistic influences. The central bronze door is a replica of the original 1175 door by Barisano da Trani, which is displayed inside the cathedral.
Bell Tower13th-14th century
Standing 59 meters tall, the bell tower was mostly constructed between 1230 and 1239, with upper floors completed in the 14th century. It features widening mullioned windows on higher floors and an internal pointed arch passage beneath it, a distinctive Romanesque feature.
Interior Nave and Aisles12th century
The church interior consists of a nave and two aisles separated by double columns supporting side matronaei. The aisles have cross vaulted ceilings, while the nave has exposed wooden trusses. The interior is largely bare following 20th-century restorations that removed later additions to highlight medieval elements.
Presbytery Mosaics12th century
Fragments of original mosaic pavements remain in the presbytery, inspired by Otranto Cathedral. Notable scenes include the allegory of Alexander the Great flying to heaven and the biblical episode of original sin with Adam and Eve.
Lower Church and CryptsMedieval period
Beneath the main floor lies the lower church, divided into the Crypt of St. Nicholas, housing the saint's relics, and that of St. Mary. A hypogeum of St. Leucius lies below sea level, decorated with ancient frescoes.
Contact
Phone: 0883 500293
