| In the heart of the old hamlet of Martina Franca, half-way between the door of san Nicola and the piazza Portici, along via Mazzini, there is one of the oldest small churches: san Vito. It presumably dates back to the 13th century, and therefore it is prior to the two churches which are called by the Greeks’ title (church of san Pietro and church of san Giovanni). The main façade is marked by the ashlar stone, and above it corresponds with a bell gable with three round arches. On the façade, one can just about see what probably used to be the original elevation, before the refurbishment. As a matter of fact, one can clearly see the trend of the sloping roof. Following the refurbishment, the façade has been elevated in height, masking the two weatherings. The original entrance portal is located on the longer side, and it is highlighted by a round arch, which has on the key stone the decorative motif of a lily, symbol of the French domination in Martina Franca at the beginning of the 14th century. The second entrance has a vestibule, added at a second stage on the shorter side. The church interior has a single, rectangular hall, with flamboyant, 18th century decors, and bright colours which partly cover the stone altars. On the high altar, the statue of san Vito stands out, with the typical small dog at his feet. Along the wall there are three wall altars, of which two are dedicated to the Holy Mary; the first one reproduces the fresco of a Madonna della divina Provvidenza in a mixtilinear frame, whereas the adjacent one was realized in 1778 at the expense of Pietro Simeone who, among other works of art, also financed the high altar of the basilica of san Martino. On the opposite side, a wooden choir juts out from the middle of the wall.
The church is remembered in the history of Martina Franca for sheltering in 1645 the relics of santa Comasia, the town's co-patron saint, while they were transferred from the church of san Nicola del Pendino (today only the ruins remain) to the church of san Martino. During the procession, a sudden and violent storm hit the town, forcing everyone to seek refuge in the church of san Vito, which in remembrance of that hospitality preserves a Latin inscription about the event. |