Molfetta, a city melting pot of sea and Mary

Molfetta is a municipality in the province of Bari, with a population of about 57,200 inhabitants. The city is characterized by a rich historical and cultural heritage, as well as an important maritime and agricultural vocation.

The history of Molfetta is fascinating and complex, dating back to prehistory, with evidence of ancient settlements having been found in the area. The city has lived under the rule of various civilizations, from the Greeks to the Romans, to the Byzantines and the Normans. During the Middle Ages, Molfetta established itself as an important starting point for the Crusades, becoming a crossroads of cultural and commercial exchanges. Over the course of its long history, it has experienced periods of great splendor and prosperity, alternating with moments of crisis, such as the famous Sacco, which represented one of the bloodiest and most dramatic events in its history, an episode that has remained deeply imprinted in the collective memory of the people of Molfetta, despite five hundred years having passed.

Molfetta is adorned with numerous monuments and places of interest that tell its history. Among the most significant is the Duomo di San Corrado, a magnificent example of Apulian Romanesque architecture.

Another important place of worship is the Basilica of the Madonna dei Martiri, dedicated to Marian veneration. Its construction began in 1162, giving rise to a primitive nucleus that corresponds, in the current configuration of the building, to the area occupied by the main altar. However, the current appearance of the basilica is not the original one, since around 1830 the sacred building underwent important structural and architectural modifications.

In 1987, the church was proclaimed a minor basilica, recognizing its spiritual and cultural value. Inside the basilica you can admire numerous works of art, including a venerated image of the Madonna dei Martiri, which was brought by the Crusaders in 1188. This image is particularly significant for the community of Molfetta, especially for sailors, who consider it a symbol of protection and devotion. Among the other works of art kept inside the church is the Madonna del Rosario, dating back to 1574 and attributed to the painter Michele Damasceno, along with paintings representing the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Death of Saint Joseph, the Adoration of the Magi and a wooden statue of Maria Santissima dei Martiri, made in 1840.

A fascinating element of the basilica is the crypt located to the right of the main altar. To access it, you must go down some steep stone steps. Inside the crypt there is a faithful replica of the Holy Sepulchre, built at the expense of the notary from Molfetta Francesco Lepore, who, it is said, brought 62 stones from the Holy Land for its construction. These stones give a special meaning to the crypt, making it a place of profound spirituality.

Another natural and archaeological wonder is the Pulo di Molfetta, a karst sinkhole that hosts finds dating back to the Neolithic period just 1 kilometer from the city center.

Molfetta’s social life is deeply intertwined with its religious and cultural traditions. Throughout the year, the community participates in various celebrations, including Easter processions and the patronal feast of the Madonna dei Martiri, which brings together the faithful in an atmosphere of great fervor.