The church of Madonna della Grotta consists of a natural hollow, which can be accessed through a long staircase that begins beyond the outer wall. This wall is the only witness of a never-finished church that protects the entry to the cave. The construction of the ancient semi-man-made cave church of Madonna della Grotta probably dates back to the 17th century. The coverings of the church remained unfinished. Its original nucleus is a karst cave, which was enlarged by man in later times. To the present day, the initial little church is about 9 metres under the ground level. The building is divided into two levels and overlooks a little parvis, which you can reach through a steep staircase built after World War II. The upper church has a single nave and three chapels on each side. Only three of the six chapels have barrel vaults. Instead, the lower church consists of a semi-underground space, surrounded by two matronea and by the natural hollow. In the cave, in front of a low natural tunnel, there is an 18th century altar, built around an earliest fresco that depicts the Virgin Mary. According to legend, this image was discovered by a shepherdess in a natural cave where a lamp burned. Inside you can see a recent limestone nativity scene made by Angelo Calcagnini.
In summer the building is used as an outdoor arena by the Division of Culture and Tourism of Castellana Grotte during the Apulia Film Commission show.
(trad. Maria Chiara Ivone - Tirocinante Unitrieste SSLMIT)
(ph. Comune di Castellana-Grotte)
