The church

Inside, the church has a single nave, overlooked by three altars: the largest, in marble, was commissioned by the municipality in 1786 and preserves the life-size wooden statue of San Ruggero in a niche.
In fact, this altar originally housed the saint's remains, which were then transferred under the table of the main altar.
The other two side altars are in painted stone and contain two large canvases attributed to Cesare Fracanzano: the one on the left reproduces the Crucifixion, while the one on the right, commissioned by Nella Della Marra, represents the miracle of San Nicola resuscitating the children.

THE STRUCTURE

Subjected to various renovations over the centuries, in its current state the church retains few traces of the medieval building.
On the outside, the façade does not entirely present its original appearance: it was in fact partially rebuilt after the earthquake of 1731, a date also reported in the triangular tympanum above one of the access doors. The base, in rustic ashlar, is surmounted by the upper level in tuff and probably once plastered; The structure is completed by the pitched roof and the bell tower, positioned between the church and the adjacent convent.

In the upper part of the monastery there is a bell tower with the bayonet mount of a lithic eagle. Probably, this small detail is a part of a dismembered pulpit.
Legend has it that St. Roger went with other bishops to the Gargano to consecrate the basilica of St. Michael the Archangel.
The lithic eagle symbolizes the angel sent by God to bring refreshment to wayfarers

Access is via a series of side portals, two with a triangular tympanum and one, from the medieval era, with a round arch, decorated with plant shoots.

On the northern wall there are two gilded wooden gates and on the western wall, near the main altar, there is the choir protected by a gilded wooden gate made in 1632, the date shown on the frame above: above this gate there is a scroll bearing the weapon of St. Roger, consisting of a wooden shield crowned with a miter barred by a crosier ending with an eagle, with the letters F.B. on the sides. (very faithful to Barletta) and the writing A. DNI.1734.
The flat choir, in gilded wood and dating back to 1632, preserves a fresco in the center depicting a Madonna Enthroned with Child.

The precious coffered ceiling in gilded wood dates back to around 1400; in the center of the vault a large canvas depicts the martyrdom of Saint Stephen.

On the floor there are five tomb stones with bas-relief coats of arms, dedicated to aristocratic families of the time; on the one located in correspondence with the west door, in the center of the nave, the ancient coat of arms of the Benedictines is sculpted, bearing a band accompanied by three ravens: two facing each other at the top and the third at the bottom.

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In the heart of the city, custodians of the relics of the Patron Saint and heirs of an almost centuries-old Benedictine presence, we live seeking God and communion with everyone, in the Church, for the Church, with the Church.

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Monastero delle Benedettine "San Ruggero"
VIA ENRICO CIALDINI 94
76121 - Barletta (BT)

Laboratorio Culturale
VIA MURA DEL CARMINE 9
76121 - Barletta (BT)
0883 332366


E-mail: monasterosanruggero@gmail.com