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<center><b>What is the 'Black Christ' located at the <br>Cathedral of Santa Maria di Nardò in Lecce, Italy? </b></center>

<b>The Cathedral of Santa Maria di Nardò (Lecce, Italy), </b>is located in the historic Salento region of Italy. It was built on the ruins of a church constructed prior to the year one thousand and is characterized by its basilica form, Baroque architectural design, and its unique arches. <b>Of great historical and artistic value is the Cedar Crucifix of the 12th century, known as the 'Black Christ', placed in a chapel on the left aisle</b>. According to tradition, the artefact was brought to Nardò, together with the relics of Saint Gregorio Armeno, patron saint of the city, <b>by Greek monks</b>. Frescoes dating from the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries adorn the two side aisles.<br><br> In 1980 the Cathedral of Santa Maria di Nardò was elevated to the dignity of Minor Basilica by Pope John Paul II.<br><br> <center><b><a href='https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/nardo-italy.html'>CLICK HERE to beautiful photos of <br><i> 'Nardo, Italy' <br></i> on Alamy.com</a><br><br> Frescoes in the Cathedral of Santa Maria di Nardò<br> <img src='../VPS/images/296/1544.jpg' height='150'> <img src='../VPS/images/296/1545.jpg' height='150'><br> <b>Diocese of Nardo - 6th Centenary<br> <i>St Augustine<br> Our Lady of Health<br> <img src='../VPS/images/296/1546.jpg' height='150'>  <img src='../VPS/images/296/1547.jpg' height='150'>  <img src='../VPS/images/296/1548.jpg' height='150'><br> Madonna del Giglio<br> St Nicholas of Myra<br> Christ Pantocrator<br></i> 1544-1548 (2013)</b></center><br><br>