Situated on the eastern edge of the city, the Church of the Crucifix was consecrated in 1671 and remains a significant historical landmark.
The layout follows a Greek cross plan, with a majestic central dome supported by spherical pendentives and barrel vaults covering each of the four arms.
The entrance is framed by a voluted pediment in the Baroque style, while the upper section of the façade features delicate pilasters whose capitals support a closing arch. A classical-style window with a tympanum at the center adds further elegance to the composition. To the south stands the bell tower—a square structure with two belfries and a pyramidal roof. The design of the vaulting system recalls the dry-stone construction techniques of Apulian trulli.
The focal point is the soaring dome, frescoed in 1703 with a dramatic Triumph of the Cross. The remaining frescoes, attributed to Carlo Rosa and his workshop, depict scenes from the Old Testament. On the counterfaçade, visitors can admire depictions of the prophet Jonah and the martyrdom of Isaiah.
The Chapel of Saint Martin now houses a 20th-century painting. Even the drum and the spandrels between the arches and dome are richly frescoed.
The main altar is a masterpiece of decorative art, crafted from rare and precious marbles, beautifully blended into a refined tapestry of color.
The hand-painted majolica tile floor dates back to the 1860s.
Once surrounded by open countryside, the church was gradually absorbed into the expanding city. Since 1975, it has served as a parish church, affirming its central role in the community's religious life.
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