Bovino - Chiesa di San Marco

Bovino, named Vibinum by the Romans, has a long history. After the end of the Roman empire, it was conquered by the Lombards but got destroyed in 663 during the war with the Byzantines, who requonquered and rebuilt it from 876 on. During the Norman conquest of southern Italy in the 11th centiry Bovino was one of the last strongholds of the Byzantines.

Upto 1986 Bovino was the see of a Bishop, so it is claimed, that already in the 7th century a cathedral may have existed here. This ancient cathedral was restored or rebuilt in he 10th century and again 1188 and 1231.

Next to the cathedral a small church got erected and consecrated in 1197. This church, meanwhile "integrated" into the cathedral, is dedicated to the patron saint of Bovino Saint Marco d’Eca, whose relics were found by the local Bishop in 1190. Saint Marco is seen here, flanked by two deacons.