THE BASILICA OF SANTA TROFIMENA: A JEWEL RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE SEA OF MINORI
The Basilica of Santa Trofimena is a treasure located in Minori, right in front of the sea: when you finish your visit of the church, you are going to be dazzled by the beauty of the place for sure!
by Barbara Iovine
The light yellow-colored Basilica of Santa Trofimena is like a bright spot that shines in the tiny heart of Minori. It has a peculiar wavy and sinuous architecture that represents the main example of religious architecture of the eighteenth century there in Minori.
Near the Basilica, a tall bell tower can also be admired, together with a very particular sundial that adorns the facade. It houses the relics of the Saint whose name it bears and, thanks to its strategic position right in front of the crystalline waters, it is daily visited not only by believers but also by the many tourists who arrive in this magnificent town.
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The Basilica of Santa Trofimena
The Structure of the Basilica of Santa Trofimena
The Basilica of Santa Trofimena was built after the demolition of the city cathedral in the eighteenth century, due to its architectural deterioration, and the new building has remained unchanged for almost two hundred years. It was rebuilt in neoclassical style and has a refined elegance. The simple decorative lines and the abundance of light that reflects on the white stuccoes through the large windows, make it simply majestic. The basilica has three naves with side altars, decorated with the apostles Peter's and Paul's busts. In the lower part, there are four niches with the statues of the evangelists. On the left-hand side of the entrance, there is the bell tower, with a quadrangular plan, decorated with large windows from which it is possible to spot the bells, while on the main facade of the church a very peculiar sundial is affixed. The church is light in color and because of its size, it seems huge compared to the small town.
The marble statue of Santa Trofimena
The visit to the treasures of the Basilica
There are several works of great value that are worth visiting in the Basilica of Santa Trofimena, such as the altarpiece of the Crocifissione (Crucifixion), by Marco Pino da Siena, in the center of the apse, and the bishop's throne in white marble. The heart of the Basilica, however, is the marvelous crypt, illuminated by natural light. It is an architectural jewel: it is accessible thanks to two flights of curved stairs and the light-colored floor recalls that of the upper Basilica, illuminated by the large windows.
In the apse, there is the niche that contains the marble statue of Santa Trofimena, which replaces the previous one in wood.
Besides, just underneath the main altar, there is the marble urn that houses the mortal remains of the Saint, on which a bas-relief depicting the sleeping Martyr is carved.
At the end of your visit, when you leave the Basilica, stop for a moment against the balustrade and admire the beautiful view in front of you: the sky merges with the sea in a mix of blue and emerald green. It's just impossible to forget such a feeling!
- In 987 Minori became a bishopric and a cathedral was built in the center of the urban area.
- Popular tradition says that Santa Trofimena came from the Sicilian town of Patti, where it would be venerated as Santa Febronia. Still, according to tradition, she suffered martyrdom during the persecution of Diocletian at an early age (around twelve - thirteen years) perhaps by the hand of her very father, as a consequence of her refusal to marry a pagan. The body, entrusted to the custody of an urn, was thrown into the sea, where the currents pushed it to the beach of Minori.
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