A truly extraordinary phenomenon occurs every year in the cathedral of Bari. At 17:10 on 21 June, the day of the summer solstice, a ray of sunlight passes through the rose window of the facade of the cathedral, dedicated to San Sabino, and is projected and precisely overlap, a few steps from the presbytery, on the marble mosaic of the floor, which reproduces the same shapes as the external rose window.

It is a unique spectacle, magically “designed” by the master builders who, in the 12th century, began the construction of an architectural marvel, a magnificent expression – together with other monuments in the area – of the Apulian Romanesque. The spectacular natural phenomenon of light that filters inside the cathedral every 21st June and spreads perfectly on the mosaic floor of the nave, was discovered almost by chance by Michele Cassano, sacristan of the cathedral, author of the photo that we are publishing courtesy concession.

Michele tells me: “The discovery dates back to 2005, after the restoration works that took place between 2002 and 2005. The then archbishop of Bari-Bitonto, Francesco Cacucci, wanted a new arrangement of the pews to make visible the beautiful mosaic rose window at the foot of the ‘altar, placed in the XIII at the behest of Archbishop Landolfo. I was on the ambo preparing the lectionary for the evening mass. The church was deserted and illuminated by the sun. There was only mgr. Ignazio Fraccalvieri, canon and penitentiary. On that afternoon, which will remain etched in my memory forever, I observed something incredible: the shape of the rose window on the façade, thanks to the sun’s rays, was drawn on the mosaic of the floor, which has the same shapes and dimensions as the rose window. I felt a huge emotion. And the phenomenon, also thanks to the photographer Beppe Gernone and my colleague Michele Morga, was gradually documented, year after year. And it is renewed punctually, every 21 June, at 17:10!”.

The show of light that embraces art, architecture, nature and astronomy is in some respects common to other Romanesque monuments built in Europe in the same period (11th-12th century). It arises from the position in which the church was built, with the facade facing west. What happens in Barivecchia is also observed in the cathedrals of Chartres (France), Florence, Bologna, in Santa Maria degli Angeli in Rome, in the church of San Leonardo in Siponto. But with one (and big) difference: in these ancient places of worship the sunbeam enters through a hole and hits any point. In the Bari cathedral of San Sabino it is the shape of the entire rose window of the facade that admirably overlaps the mosaic rose window of the floor. A show that, every year – and will also happen on June 21, 2023 – enchants the eyes and the spirit.

Yes, we may see things that we don’t even imagine.

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PHOTOS: © ROBERTO ALBORGHETTI