| The church is the only example, in addition to the bell tower of the Cathedral, of gothic Angevin in Castellaneta. The name S. Mary of the Light comes from an old legend that the church was built for a vow, made by a sea captain, who during a raging storm, relying on Lady of the Assumption, was saved by a light like a beacon. The structure of the church, which follows the sloping land, refers to a ship ready to sail in the sea of stone of the ravine. The church was built in the years between the thirteenth and fourteenth century, as appears from an inscription, found during restoration (now above one of the two access ways to rock the settlement from the church). The restoration has brought to light some frescoes, whose history ranges from the thirteenth to the sixteenth century. The Madonna and Child Blessing, which no doubt comes from the wall decoration of the crypt, you can assign to the end of 1200. |