| The churches of the Messapian Ceglie copy the plan, the architectonic shapes and the styles which were becoming popular in the major Italian centres; however, they were filtered through the local taste and mentality. The churches were erected in different ages, according to the religious needs. Among the cult buildings of Ceglie, the church Collegiata stands out for the elegance of its shapes and for its architectonic sobriety. The sacred building, together with the ducal castle, is the heart of the medieval centre of the town. It was erected in 1521 at the behest of the dukes Sanseverino, with the contribution of the University of Ceglie, and it was dedicated to the Vergine Assunta. An epigraph was put on the façade, as a reminder of the end of the construction works: DOMINANTIBUS EXCELLENTISSIMIS DOMINIS/ IOANNE ET AURELIA SANSEVERINIS/ D. CELIARUM CILI INCLITA UNIVERSITAS/ HANC FUNDITUS ECCLESIAM REPARAVIT/ A.D. MDXXI. As it is possible to read on the inscription placed on the entrance portal, when the church needed urgent restoration works during the 18th century, it was also further expanded and refurbished in 1786. The church was promoted to collegiate in 1606; for a long time since, it was the only sacred building of the town endowed with a baptismal font, and therefore qualified to officiate the sacrament. The Greek cross interior presents numerous, very valuable works of art. The famous artist Domenico Carella has left numerous traces of his art in this church; among his paintings, worth mentioning are L'Ultima Cena (The Last Supper), L’Assunta (Our Lady of the Assumption) and a Veduta prospettica di Ceglie (a perspective view of Ceglie), which up until today is the oldest document of its kind with regards to the Messapian town. The magnificent policrome stone Cristo uscente dal sepolcro (Christ rising from the sepulchre), is apparently by Raimondo da Francavilla. It is set in a wall of the vestry, opposite the contemporary wooden Crocifisso (Crucifix), emaciated and almost exhausted, which conveys a fascination because of its austerity. On the same altar, there is also the significant altarpiece depicting the Immacolata Concezione (the Immaculate Conception); also worth a mention is the wooden simulacrum of Sant'Antonio da Padova, Patron of Ceglie. All this is dominated by the dome, characterized by the internal baccellatura (pod-shaped mouldings), that links up the covering of the arms of the cross of the plan. It is flanked by the belltower which, even though it is slightly stocky and bulky, is also quite solemn looking. |