EN 
IT 
FR 
DE 
ES Popular Faith and Baroque Art in the Heart of Conversano
Church and Convent of Saints Medici
A place of age-old devotion between spirituality, art, and architecture
Among the places of worship most rich in history and charm in Conversano, the Church and Convent of Saints Cosmas and Damian hold a special place: the Church and Convent of Saints Cosmas and Damian.
This religious complex, imbued with popular spirituality and decorated with Baroque richness, represents one of the most authentic expressions of the city’s cultural and artistic identity. Even today, the church remains a destination for pilgrimages and a point of reference for the local community.
A Baroque Jewel Born from Devotion
The current building was constructed in the 1630s at the behest of Count Giangirolamo II Acquaviva d’Aragona, known as the Guercio of Apulia, and his wife Isabella Filomarino, both deeply devoted to the patron saints.
The project involved transforming the ancient Romanesque Church of San Matteo into a new structure inspired by Neapolitan Baroque. The intervention was led by Paolo Finoglio, one of the leading painters of the time.
Although his early death in 1645 prevented him from completing the work, his pupils carried on, leaving an artistic legacy of great value.
On the outside, the church presents a sober façade, in solid limestone, evoking Romanesque forms.
But it is upon crossing the threshold that one is overwhelmed by Baroque splendor: vaults adorned with gilded stuccoes, vivid frescoes, monumental altarpieces, and a strong presence of Finoglio’s painting.
Organs, Coats of Arms, and Symbols of History
At the entrance of the church, on the right, there is a Baroque choir loft with a second organ, designed to be accessible to everyone. The first organ, in fact, is located in the matroneum, reserved for cloistered use.
Once, on the entrances of the church and convent, stone coats of arms were visible, symbols of noble power and of the influence of the Acquaviva family on the religious life of the town. These heraldic emblems reinforced the bond between faith and political authority, but were removed after the abolition of feudalism in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, to mark the end of that rule and the beginning of a new era for the Acquaviva lineage.
The complex, deeply connected to the religious and cultural life of the community, is still today a center of popular devotion, especially during the festivities dedicated to the Holy Physicians.
ℹ️ Info and Visiting Hours
📍Via San Benedetto, 20
🕰 Visiting Hours
- 10.00-12.00
- 17.00-20.00
For updates on opening hours and guided tours, 📞 contact the Info Point: +39 080 495 6517.
📞 +39 080 495 6517
✉️ Email: iat@comune.conversano.ba.it
* N.B. The Church of San Cosma is closed on Tuesdays.
Perché visitarla
This church is not only a place of worship, but a true Baroque jewel that preserves the artistic and spiritual memory of Conversano.
Entering the Church of the Holy Physicians means embarking on a journey through time, among frescoed vaults, gilded decorations, and symbols full of meaning. Every corner of the building tells of the community’s deep devotion, the influence of the Acquaviva family, and the talent of artists such as Paolo Finoglio.
It is an experience to be lived with attentive eyes and an open heart, where faith merges with art, and every detail — from stuccoes to frescoes, from heraldic symbols to historic organs — becomes a window onto the culture of 17th-century Apulia.
