With its distinctive dome and proud Romanesque facade, the Chiesa di Santa Maria di Betlem reveals a curious blend of architectural styles. The exterior sports Gothic and even vaguely Oriental elements. Inside, the Catalan Gothic vaulting has been preserved, but much baroque silliness has crept in to obscure the original lines of the building. In the lateral chapels stand some of the giant ‘candles’ that the city guilds parade about town during the 14 August I Candelieri festivities.
