San Vito dei Normanni

Church of San Giovanni

Church of San Giovanni

A precious Baroque jewel, according to tradition the Church of San Giovanni is the oldest in the town. Rebuilt in 1745 by the will of Prince Giuseppe Marchese Belprato, it is a precious example of Baroque architecture.

Inside the church are six fine local canvases, two of which are at the side altars and set in a remarkable wooden structure attributable to De Mura or his school. The other four hang on the side walls of the sacred building, attributable to Serafino Elmo of Lecce and dated 1737.

The church, now deconsecrated, was sold to the Municipality of San Vito by the Dentice di Frasso family. It is currently used to host exhibitions and cultural events.

Church of Santa Maria della Pietà

Church of Santa Maria della Pietà

The Church is also known by the name of “Church of the Hospital,” because next to it there once stood the hospital for travelers, which was moved to the convent of the Dominican Fathers in the 19th century.

Built in about 1559, the church was expanded and restored in 1797, and inside it has one characteristic that makes it typical: the square plan with slightly rounded corners on the outside. The organ over the entrance portal is of great historical and artistic interest.

Palazzo Azzariti

The palazzo was constructed as the residence for the Azzariti family in the latter half of the 19th century. The building is still well preserved and is an example of a typical private building from the last century.

In the 1980s the property was purchased by the municipality and, following some renovation work, it was statically consolidated and modernized throughout.