The first information about the church is related in the “Codice Diplomatico Barese” and it’s dated back to 1105 but about the monastery we have information starting from 1148.
The annual fair of San Leone is surely certified already in 1197. Thanks to the many privileges obtained by the monks, the fair became one of the most important event of the south Italy and was considered the focus of the apulian fair system since the Medieval age. Nowadays the thousand-year fair takes place, every year, on 6 April.
The today’s building is dated back to the XIII century. On the south façade, in correspondence of the transept, erects a bell tower of the XIII century. The interior has been renovated in 800.
The room, dedicated to the ceremonies, has a rectangular form and it’s illuminated from six monofore (small windows)A large groin arch, divides the nave from the presbytery, where there are medieval wall paintings: on the left side “Albero della croce”, on the front side “Giudizio Universale” and on the right side there are wall paintings representing the four evangelists and other saints.
The wall paintings are dated back to XV century, even if in some areas of the church it can be found previous paintings.
The main altar has been rebuilt using a old capital, and has substituted a neo gothic altar. Of the ancient cloister remain only two archs which lay on the thin columns and valuables capitals.
