WITH THE FREE PATRONAGE OF
CARNEVALE DI PUTIGNANO
CHURCH OF SAN PIETRO APOSTOLO
Putignano a history you don't expect
Church of San Michele Arcangelo in Monte Laureto
About 3 km from the city of Putignano and located in the direction of Noci on a hill at an altitude of 370 m / above sea level, the underground church of San Michele Arcangelo in Monte Laureto is fully inserted in all caves or religious structures dedicated to saint present in Puglia, led by the Basilica Sanctuary of San Michele present in Monte Sant'Angelo (FG).
The church cannot officially boast the name of Sanctuary, as the latter has never been made official by the Holy See, even if, for the devotion of the faithful of the area, pilgrims who know the stage along the Michaelic path and finally due to the historical and artistic value attributed to it by scholars, it has unofficially appropriated it over time.
The cave can be traced in its formation to the Upper Cretaceous period (between 65.6 and 99.9 million years ago) the structural characteristics see the internal volumetric dimensions in 30 meters in length, 17 in width and 6 meters in height . The cave is dug into the thickness of the rocky banks of the rudist limestone and geologically represents a sort of absorbent cavity of the rainwater of the area. Access to the cave itself is quite comfortable and takes place via a stone staircase typical of the area.
The stairwell is divided into two steps, the access one that reaches the opening of the entrance arch to the cave, dated around 1684, as evidenced by the engravings on one of the side stoups and the subsequent staircase, the oldest and majestic, which extends over the entire width of the cave.
Inside we find sculptural works by Stefano da Putignano, paintings by Palvisino (XVI century) and the most important work that characterizes the Angevin period in rock painting, that is the large fresco on the Crucifixion of Christ that decorates the rear part of the altar principal.
This website project born from the idea of Gianni Musaio is enclosed in a team spirit and is the result of the collaboration of people, ordinary citizens, who care about the historical, cultural, artistic, geographical, food and wine heritage of the historic center of Putignano, a town in to live.
The historic center of a town is the fulcrum of the territory, where ancient stories, traditions and culture of those who preceded us are preserved. You too can contribute to leaving the testimonies of the past to the generations to come, taking care of them.