The Cathedral of Maria Santissima Achiropitan is simply a hidden jewel. The Cathedral Church of Rossano, dedicated to Maria Santissima Achiropita (="Not painted by human hand") was erected in the 11th century and has undergone numerous renovations until today. It has a plan with three naves and three apses. Of particular interest: the bell tower and the baptismal font (14th century); the original portal; the wooden coffered roofs (18th century). In a fourth nave there are 4 18th century chapels with decorations in clear late Baroque style. The church was built around the fresco of the Achiropita Virgin (7th-8th c.), currently set on a column around which a neo-Gothic altar was built (15th c.). The icon miraculously appeared on a stone during the construction of the cathedral: it represents the image of the mother of God (Theotokos), holding the child on her left arm. The Cathedral has another precious jewel: the Codex Purpureus Rossanensis, an illuminated Greek gospel (5th-6th century), of clear Middle Eastern origin (Antioch of Syria). The Codex is composed of 188 sheets of purple parchment (hence the proper name) containing the Gospels of Matthew and Mark and a letter from Eusebius to Carpiano. The texts are written in gold and silver and are embellished with 15 miniatures illustrating the most significant moments in the life and preaching of Jesus. Today it is kept and can be visited in the adjacent Diocesan Museum.
