The relics arrived in Ortona on September 6, 1258, carried by the navigator Leone Acciaiuoli.
The cathedral was declared a minor basilica by Pope Pius XII in 1952.
The remains of Saint Thomas are contained within a funeral urn located in the cathedral's crypt.
Evidence of the 1943 bombardment is visible in the reconstructed masonry and sections of the facade.
The Pardon of St. Thomas is a historic annual event recognized by the Vatican with the granting of a plenary indulgence.
A marble slab in the cathedral bears a Greek inscription traditionally linked to the saint's burial in India.
The church was originally constructed on the site of an earlier Roman temple dedicated to Vesta.
The Cathedral of St. Tommaso Apostolo in Ortona is the final resting place of the relics of Saint Thomas the Apostle, brought here from the island of Chios in 1258. The building originated in the 12th century but underwent significant reconstruction following extensive bombing damage during the Battle of Ortona in 1943. It is built on a cliff overlooking the Adriatic Sea, reflecting a mix of medieval origins and post-war restoration. The crypt houses the silver-plated bronze bust containing the saint's skull and a stone slab inscribed with Greek characters associated with the apostle. The architectural layout features a Latin cross plan with an octagonal dome. It serves as a major pilgrimage site, particularly during the Pardon of St. Thomas festival.
The cathedral facade from the Piazza S. Tommaso, or the view of the church exterior from the nearby cliff paths.
Visit the crypt specifically to view the reliquary bust of Saint Thomas.
Check the local municipal calendar for the dates of the Pardon of St. Thomas to avoid or experience the high-traffic festival days.
Walk around the exterior perimeter to view the structure's relationship with the cliffside geography.
Do not attempt to photograph the relics inside the crypt if signage prohibits it, and avoid visiting during active liturgical services.
Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is required for entry; maintain silence as it is an active place of worship.
