Chiesa di Santa Maria di Casole

The Church of Santa Maria di Casole, in the countryside of Copertino, stands in an area characterized by the presence of ancient remains of a convent once attached to the church. This place of worship originally formed part of the medieval hamlet of Casole, as documented evidence attests to its existence as early as 1274. However, the first habitation developed even before the year 1000 by Basilian monks. Destroyed by the Turks, the temple was rebuilt around 1500 at the behest of Giovanni Castriota, who received the hamlet as a fief.\n\nOn the entrance portal there is a lunette containing a fresco of the Virgin between Saint Francis and Saint Anthony. The interior has three naves and features a vaulted ceiling made in 1668; the side naves have ribbed cross-vaulting and are decorated with frescoes depicting scenes from Franciscan life. Unknown artists frescoed the Vision of the Madonna in the cell of Fra Silvestro Calia, and in 1703 transformed the space into a chapel.\n\nWith the decree suppressing mendicant orders in 1809, the slow decline of the structure began, which probably represents the last convent established by the Order of Observant Franciscans in Salento.