Cattedrale San Sabino

Lonely Planet review

Just north of Strada Lamberti, the tortuous alleyways open out into Largo San Sabino where you're faced with the huge construct that makes up the Museo Diocesano and the Cattedrale San Sabino. Most people assume that the Basilica of San Nicola is Bari's main cathedral but this pearly white church dedicated to Bishop San Sabino is really the main seat of worship.

Like the Basilica, the cathedral was begun during the Byzantine era (1034), but when the city revolted against William II of Sicily, he razed it to the ground. It was rebuilt between 1170 and 1178 in a simple Romanesque style with a wide nave and shallow transepts and a 35m-high cupola. Typical of the style, deep arcades run along each side and the elegant eastern window retains a richly decorated canopy sporting animal and vegetal reliefs. Thirteenth- and 14th-century frescoes adorn the north apse and recent excavations have brought to light the remains of the original mosaic pavement, which can now be seen in the south apse. The cathedrals most valuable treasure, however, is the 11th-century Exultet, a lavishly illuminated scroll of Easter prayers, which is housed in the sacristy.