Interior of the Basilica Santa Catarina d'Alessandria in Galatina

The Basilica of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria in Galatina is a striking jewel of Gothic architecture with valuable frescoes comparable to those of the Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi..On the outer edges of Galatina's historic centre, the Basilica of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria is a treasure chest of art boasting magnificent frescoes and a range of architectural styles, from Romanesque to Gothic, Norman to Byzantine...The splendid Romanesque façade is enriched by a finely decorated portal and a rose window that seems embroidered into the stone. Inside, the basilica's Gothic heart is entirely covered by 15th-century frescoes. These were commissioned by Princess Maria d’Enghien, who summoned the best artists from Naples to create precious painting cycles comparable to those in Assisi...The Basilica's great iconographic highlight are its angel musicians, which provide a complete visual encyclopedia of medieval musical instruments and represent the oldest depiction of shawms, harps, double flutes and lutes in Europe...The Basilica has also an elegant cloister with frescoes from the 18th century, a museum with an arabesque ceiling and a hall dedicated to relics and votive offerings.