San Biagio and his small church

The small church of San Biagio, about four kilometres from Ostuni, is the town’s oldest sanctuary and one of the best representations of a rock settlement.

Predominantly Romanesque in style, the church, with its single masonry nave, has no architectural elements of great interest.  There is a natural grotto on the right-hand side, which communicates with the nave through two round arches, while a small bell gable stands on the left-hand wall.

The interior is barrel-vaulted, with a simple altar on the back wall. Four pillars support the table top and in the centre is the statue of San Biagio.

Under the church there is a crypt, most probably frescoed, but no longer practicable. From a document dated 1148, we learn that a church was built over the crypt, and then a convent.

Around the church, caves have been dug, where Byzantine frescoes can still be seen, some of them worn away by time, some of them unrecognisable due to unconscious human tampering. They were the habitual refuge of Basilian monks, especially for those who chose to live in solitude.

In the distant Middle Ages, every town elected a patron saint, and the town of Ostuni has gloried in venerating San Biagio, Bishop and Martyr, as its patron saint ever since.

Born in Sebaste, Cappadocia, San Biagio converted to Christianity and was elected bishop in his city. With the invasion of the Turks in the 11th century, Biagio left Cappadocia and together with his monks settled in the hills west of Ostuni, where he made his home.

Every year on February the 3rd, in memory of the Saint’s martyrdom, crowds of devotees reach the sanctuary not only from Ostuni, but also from neighbouring towns. Holy Mass is celebrated here and then the devotees kiss the relic, invoking the Saint’s protection on their persons, their families and their property.