Museum of the Frescoes

One of the hidden gems of the Salento, the museum of frescoes is a must-see -and it will definitely surprise you!. The Byzantine frescoes were rediscovered in 1929, and they are breathtaking. They were found in the Crypt of Santa Maria degli Angeli, the church called the Madonna della Grotta, which was established around 1000 AD. The Byzantine cave church was in use for 400 years, but fell into disuse and was then completely abandoned when the Greek rite was abolished in the 1500s. The gems in the grotto were found in 1929, and the next 25 years was spent trying to stem the environmental elements that were destroying them. Finally, in 1955, the most illustrious experts in Italy decided the frescoes needed to be removed to not lose them entirely to mold, water, and mineral encrustation. They were carefully detached, stabilized and restored.

When the work was finished, it was deemed impossible to return them to the grotto where they came from, so a new museum was built under Piazza Episcopo to house them safely, while mimiking the original site. It opened in 1975. The frescoes are placed in their original positions, and it is something special to see. Amazingly, the museum is not well known, but you won't regret seeing these impressive works of art.

Youll find the saints that are important to the Greek rite faith - St. Nicholas, St. George and the dragon, St. John the Theologian, St. Anastasio, St. Demetrio. There is also a Madonna with Child, the archangel Michael, St. Stephen, St. Lorenzo, and more. Visits to the Madonna della Grotta can also be arranged, where copies of the frescoes have been placed, to see the original context.

HOURS: from 9:00 AM til 12:00 PM and from 4:00 PM til 7:00 PM. Cost is €1.