Mother-Church The Mother-Church is dedicated to the Protector
Saint Vitale. It was rebuilt several times: once in the 16th Century after the devastation by the
Turkish and then in the 18th century due to the structure's dilapidation. The current structure dates back to early 1900. It has a simple facade with a central doorway which is flanked by two niches. The interior is of a
neoclassical style with three arched aisles containing numerous paintings. The most important of which, Saint Vitale on Horseback, is on the high altar. In the central vault there is a stunning
elliptical dome on which is painted the glory of the
Trinity and the family of Saint Vitale.
Shrine of Our Lady of Constantinople The Shrine of Our Lady of Constantinople, built in 1610, has preserved its architectural lines despite adjustments made over the centuries. This shrine is linked to an ancient tradition. An image of Our Lady of Constantinople on Lecce stone now dominates the high altar on an artistic canopy. The walls of the single nave, once adorned with numerous paintings, are now home to only those of
Saint Francis of Assisi and
Immacolata. Of notable interest are the baroque portal, the high altar containing the oval icon of the Virgin and the altar of the
Crucifix dated 1691. There is also a small
lead pipe organ which dates back to the 18th century.
Convent of Conventual Fathers The Convent of
Conventual Fathers was constructed between 1615 and 1619. This is known because, in 1614, it was not yet listed among the monasteries which existed at the time in
Apulia. However, in 1621, a certain
Catrini was buried there. The task of the convent's religious community was to guard the Shrine of Our Lady of Constantinople and to run a small hospital. The convent was suppressed for the first time in 1652 as a result of the
Bolla Instaurandae of Pope
Innocent X and was reactivated in 1654. The year 1795 marked the definitive end of the convent. Over the years it was owned by different families; the premises were even used as a
tobacco processing factory.
City Towers The City Towers were built by the Marittima University or by private citizen to defend the small town against attacks by Turkish pirates above all after the destruction of
Otranto (1480) and
Castro (1537 and 1573). Originally there were five but today only four towers remain:
Torre di Alfonso (Alfonso Tower),
Torre Baltassara (Baltassara Tower),
Torre della Piazza (Piazza Tower) – the only one which is still inhabited – and
Torre di Paolino Russi (Paolino Russi Tower.)
Torre di Alfonso (Alfonso Towers) The largest and the most artistically beautiful, Torre di Alfonso (named after the owner) is located in the heart of the old town, in Via Cellini. It has a square base and was refined by adding a ledge and a balcony which adorn the upper face.
Colonna Osanna (Hosanna Column) The Hosanna Column, so-called because it was used during the Palm Sunday, was erected in 1620 and was originally situated in the middle of the main square. It was dismantled in 1926 and rebuilt in 1961 near the Shrine of Our Lady of Constantinople. It is made from local stone and is topped by a cross.
Other monuments •
Palazzo Baronale Miglietta (The Baronial Palace of Miglietta) (1745) •
Palazzi e ville signorili (houses and lordly palaces) (700 AD – 800 AD – 900 AD) •
Torri Colombaie (Dovecot Tower) (1600) •
Frantoio Ipogeo (Underground oil mill) Galleria Santuario Madonna di Costantinopoli ;Interno File:Altare Immacolata Marittima.jpg|Altare dell'Immacolata File:Altare di Sant'Antonio da Padova Marittima.jpg|Altare di Sant'Antonio da Padova File:Altare del Crocifisso Marittima.jpg|Altare del Crocifisso File:Altare Addolorata Marittima.jpg|Altare dell'Addolorata File:Marittima Statua Madonna di Costantinopoli.jpg|Statua Madonna di Costantinopoli File:Marittima Tela di San Francesco.jpg|Tela di San Francesco d'Assisi File:Affresco Marittima Madonna.jpg|Affresco Madonna di Costantinopoli ==Economy==