Saint Eustachio

cultural heritage with remains of frescoes

The church is located in the district "Vulgo San Staso" on the border between the territories of Giovinazzo and Bitonto and unfortunately pours in a state of strong decay, the frescoes that adorned the walls have gone irreparably destroyed, the interior repeatedly looted, and the large chianche that constituted the removed floor. The sacred building dates back to the 11th century and stands on the ruins of an ancient medieval farmhouse known as the "Padula", from which most of the central nucleus and the large enclosed courtyard can be seen. The church has two domes resting on four arches connected by spherical plumes and is a single nave divided into two rooms. The roof is obtained with the characteristic chiancarelle, similar to that of the trulli. On the façade there is an imposing defense tower built in stages between the eleventh and fifteenth century for defensive purposes of the farmhouse and sighting of pirate raids. According to some authors, the church was consecrated by the bishop of Bari Elia and in 1096 by Pietro bishop of Giovinazzo, others believe that it was built by Bishop Peter II in 1055 for a Greek community, in fact some frescoes engraved with the written in Greek. In this church the crusader Geretèo would have stopped, carrying with it the icon of the Madonna contended between Giovinazzo and Bitonto later venerated in the church of Corsignano in the countryside of Giovinazzo. From documents of a later period we know that the farmhouse and the church belonged to the Labini's bitontine family. The first time I reached it, on a bike, with the sun peeping through the prickly pear plants on a wonderful day and, suddenly, the tiredness of the pedal disappeared as if by magic. It was something unexpected and gratifying, like a nice Christmas package under a tree for a child!

Imposing and fascinating: A structure that pours history, abandoned to itself ... A great pity.

Church in poor condition, not easy to reach but with a lot of charm and a beautiful view

Good morning