Stilo, Calabria, Italy
Cattolica di Stilo Photos
+
2
-
   1 Photos
Submit your photos!  We'll be glad to post them.

Save me
Been here
Want to go
Luigi Stragazi
Sorrento,
Travel Agent
Who is here to help you >
Make me an Ambassador
The Cattolica di Stilo is a Byzantine church in the comune of Stilo, Calabria, southern Italy. It is a National monument.
 
The Cattolica was built in the 9th century, when Calabria was part of the Byzantine Empire. The name derives from the Greek word katholiki, which referred to the churches provided with a baptistery. It is one of the most important examples of Byzantine architecture, together with the church of San Marco in Rossano Calabro.
 
The Cattolica follow a plan with "inscribed cross", typical of the middle Byzantine age. The interior is divided by four columns into five similar spaces. The square central space and the angle ones are covered by domes. The angle ones have with tambours with the same diameter, while the central dome is slightly taller and larger.
 
The western sides lies on a free rocks, while the southern area, ending with three apses, stands on three stone bases. The construction is in bricks.
 
The interior was once entirely covered with frescoes. The left apse has a bell built in 1577, when the church was converted to the Latin rite. The interior has also several inscriptions in Arabic, which have led the scholars suspect it could have been also used as a Muslim oratory. One inscription translates to "There is only one true God".

Cattolica di Stilo Nearby Places To Visit

  • Badolato
    Badolato
    Badolato is a comune and town in the province of Catanzaro in the Calabria region of Italy. As…
  • Soverato
    Soverato
    Soverato is a town and comune in the province of Catanzaro in the Calabria region of southern…
  • Pizzo
    Pizzo
    Pizzo, also called Pizzo Calabro, is a seaport and comune in the province of Vibo Valentia…

Traveler Experience

Will you recommend it?
Positive
Negative
Do you love this? Share your experiences! Post

Places to Stay

Tell us what you're looking for

Need help finding a guide? Looking for an adventure, a rental car or airport pickup? No request is too big or too small. Let us help you!

Post Request or see how it works >