Sanctuary of Maria Santissima di Belvedere

The sanctuary of Maria Santissima di Belvedere is located 4 km north-east of the town, rebuilt in 1875 on the site of a Basilian monastery, of which a crypt remains which can be accessed by going down 47 steps. The ciborium preserves the date of 1501, the signature of a Giovanni Lombardo of Ostuni and the name of the client: Pirro de Loffredo. On a side altar there is a fresco (very ancient, but repainted several times) with the sweet face of the Madonna di Belvedere much venerated by the people in the week following Easter, and other late Byzantine frescoes. The Sanctuary opens at 7:30 and remains open all day throughout the year. However, the closure varies according to the time of year. In late autumn and winter, the Sanctuary closes at 6.30pm In early spring and autumn, the Sanctuary closes at 19:00. From the beginning of July until the end of August, the Sanctuary closes at 8.00pm. In the remaining periods of the year, the Sanctuary closes at 19:30.