Chiesa di Santa Maria del Mastro

A Greek inscription dated 1084, now preserved at the Archaeological Museum of Locri, records the early history of Santa Maria del Mastro in Gerace. The church stands in Borgo Maggiore, outside the line of the medieval walls.

Why it matters

The inscription places the church within Gerace's Greek-rite world after the Norman conquest of Calabria. Its Byzantine architectural character and Greek dedication preserve evidence of the cultural continuity of the town in the eleventh century.

What to notice

The church's original dedication honoured the Mother of God, the martyr Eustrazio and his companions, and Catherine. Around 1480 it became known as Santa Maria del Magistro or del Mastro, as Gerace transitioned from the Greek to the Latin rite. Traces of an east-facing apse remain beside the entrance, reflecting changes to the building's orientation and plan. The polychrome plasterwork inside dates from the twentieth century.

Context and history

Gerace came under Norman control in 1059, while its religious life retained strong Greek traditions. The 1084 inscription dates Santa Maria del Mastro to that period. Around 1480, the church adopted the Latin rite; its spaces were reorganised, and ossuaries were created around the building. The founding inscription was later moved to the Archaeological Museum of Locri.