Embark on a self-guided tour when you visit the Basilica di Sant'Antonino, an 11th-century baroque and Romanesque church filled with art treasures. This ancient Catholic temple is dedicated to the patron saint and protector of Sorrento and also houses his remains.
One of the first sights to greet you when you enter the church are some well-preserved bones of a whale. They are said to come from the giant mammal that swallowed a boy whom St. Antonio subsequently rescued.
Walk down the church's central aisle and stop to look at the series of arches on either side of the building. Above them are oval-shaped and rectangular-shaped frescoes featuring episodes from the saint's life including his entrance into Sorrento. Gaze up at the ceiling for the three paintings by Giambattista Lama, a baroque painter from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Stand in front of the main altar and study the 17th-century sculptures and paintings decorating the walls behind it. They include a picture of the liberation from the plague that struck the city in 1656. Then stroll along the side aisles to see their richly decorated altars.
Go down a marble staircase into the crypt to see the tomb of St. Antonino, who died in the first half of the 7th century. This area is supported by eight marble columns from ancient pagan temples and also houses numerous paintings from the 18th century and an altar with a statue of the saint.
Step inside the sacristy, which is a small museum showcasing many works of art. Highlights include an oil painting of the Madonna with Child, a plastic reconstruction of the miracle of the whale and a crib scene that represents the birth of Jesus.
The Basilica di Sant'Antonino is located on the piazza of the same name in the center of Sorrento, about a 1-minute walk from the main square. If you are driving, pay to park in the city center parking lots which are within walking distance of the basilica.
