| Its origins are extremely ancient, as is also substantiated by a plaque on the apse of the altar. For many years it had been left in a state of disrepair, then it was restored in 1724. The Church of San Pietro Mandurino was probably born as a chamber-tomb in Hellenistic times, then converted into a church. The original classical monument, which would be the only specimen of a chamber tomb to be found in the archaeological area of Manduria, comprises a stepped dromos, a small half-barrel covered corridor and an opposing quadrangular space. The church, which is dug into the rock, was built in the VIII and IX centuries AD and has a crypt; inside it has two naves with two apses divided by a row of three pillars. The side walls are completely covered with frescoed niches, that were repainted in the XIX century. The upper church dates back to the X-XII century AD and was restored in 1724 on the resolve of the bishop of Oria, mgr. Labanchi, as testified by the painted inscription on the apse in front of the entrance. In 1972, some early medieval graves were discovered under the floor. |