San Giovanni del Toro Church

Its name comes from the hill on which it rises, the ancient Mount Toro. Located just in front of the hotel. Its foundation dates from before the year 1000 AD. It was rebuilt for the first time in 1200 AD and consecrated in 1276. The church was rebuilt again in 1715. 

The building’s façade has three portals decorated with gothic tympanums. The interior has three naves with small apses and domes. The most valuable work in the church is the Ambone del Vangelo (Ambo of the Gospel). This was included in the 1896 edition of the Golden Book of Italian masterpieces and testifies the role played by Islam in the development of southern Italy culture during the 11^th and 12^th centuries. This pulpit was made in the 12^th century by Alfano from Termoli upon commission of the Bove family, whose coat-of-arms is clearly visible: two bulls surrounded by nine rings of red, white and blue clover. Below the pulpit are ancient frescoes of Jesus and Mary Magdalene with other female figures in contemplation. A staircase near the right-hand aisle leads down to the Crypt. This hypogean room, lit by means of a mullioned window with one light in each of the three apses, has round cross vaults and there are important 14^th century frescoes depicting holy scenes.