The Roman architect Vitruvius recommended that sunlight be brought in from the highest points of the churches to avoid obstacles in nearby buildings. Bari Cathedral has an apse window to the east, a rose window to the north that is never illuminated, one to the south and one to the west. On June 21, the day of the summer solstice, at 5:10 pm (summer time), the sun’s rays draw inside the temple the 18-ray rose window located to the west. The latter matches the rose window positioned on the floor of the nave.
Il Rosone
