The complex stands where the centre of the ancient town used to be and is made up of three separate parts: the old church, flanked by the building that housed pilgrims and the monastery; the unfinished church («Incompiuta»), whose outer walls continue behind the first on the same axis; and the baptistery, probably an early Christian church with two baptismal fonts.
The unfinished church is the most striking part: the Benedictines began it between the late 11th and early 12th century, reusing Roman and Jewish materials taken from nearby buildings. Work stopped in 1297, when Pope Boniface VIII removed the Benedictines from the abbey, and never started again. What remains are the arches, the walls and the sky in place of a roof.
What to see
- In the old church, the tomb of the Hauteville family, the Norman dynasty of Robert Guiscard, and the tomb of Alberada, his first wife and the mother of Bohemond.
- The frescoes on the walls and columns of the old church.
- In the walls of the unfinished church, the reused Roman stones: inscriptions, reliefs and fragments of ancient buildings.
Two different arrangements
The unfinished church is part of the Archaeological Park and follows its opening times and tickets; the old church is an active place of worship run by the Trinitarian Fathers, with free entry: visits are paused during services.
Contacts
Opening hours
The unfinished church is visited with the Archaeological Park ticket (€5, combined with the Museum €8). The old church is a place of worship with free entry: its opening times are not published by official sources, so it is best to call +39 0972 34211.