Citizens felt the need to greet the crowd of pilgrims in a bigger and cozy building.
The San Giorgio parish church, in the historical centre, became too small compared with the increasing number of faithful.
The new sanctuary, blessed and consecrated on 19 March 1973, became Basilica on 4 April 1975.
The church has a Latin cross plan: 60 meters in length, 20 meters large in the part of the nave and 35 meters high in the central part of the cupola. The church has a unique naive, in the middle of the prominent apse has been erected a throne made of red granite. In a crystal case are placed the Statues of SS. Medici Cosma and Damiano.
In the middle of the church there is a small space in which are kept the relics of the arms belonging to worshiped Saints of the Basilica.
It is also possible to find handmade paintings of the Nineteenth and Twentieth century: these canvas, made by local painters, are a testimonies of the Apulian people way of life.
We are talking about simple works, but full of pathos, representing miracles and tragic events.
The most important event, on the third Sunday of October, it’s the religious procession called “Intorciata”. The Statues of the two Taumaturghi are carried on the devotes shoulders trough the city streets and people follow the procession holding candles.
