✦ Catholic Tourist
World map›Italy›Benevento

Saint Tomb · Italy

Basilica of St. Bartholomew the Apostle

Benevento, Campania, Italy

Saint TombBasilicaRelicsApostolic TombPatron of BeneventoSt. Bartholomew the ApostleWhere Saints Rest collectionwhere-saints-rest collectiontombs-of-the-apostles collectionTombs of the Apostles & Evangelists collectionCatholicActive Roman Catholic basilica and archdiocesan patronal shrine. The Archdiocese of Benevento documents the relic tradition, arrival in 838, and 1729 translation.
The Baroque facade of the Basilica of St. Bartholomew the Apostle in Benevento.
The Baroque facade of the Basilica of St. Bartholomew the Apostle in BeneventoPhoto by Decan via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

Why pilgrims come

Visit the resting place and legacy of St. Bartholomew the Apostle

Benevento’s Basilica of St. Bartholomew preserves one of Italy’s less widely known apostolic tomb traditions. The archdiocese records that the Apostle’s remains arrived in the city in 838. After earlier churches were damaged by earthquakes, the present Baroque basilica was built and the relics were solemnly transferred beneath its high altar in 1729.

The church is smaller and quieter than many monumental Italian shrines, which makes the apostolic claim especially striking. Bartholomew—identified in Christian tradition with Nathanael in John’s Gospel—is honored as patron of the city and archdiocese. The basilica’s oval interior draws attention forward to the altar and the porphyry urn below it rather than dispersing the pilgrimage through a vast complex.

The relic history has several stages and should be told as ecclesial tradition: Bartholomew’s martyrdom is associated with Armenia; traditions then place his remains in Lipari and Benevento, while other relics are venerated in Rome and elsewhere. Benevento is the principal Italian shrine that claims his body. Read John 1:45–51 before entering, pray for missionaries and persecuted Christians, and verify liturgical access with the archdiocese. The patronal feast on August 24 is the natural high point of local devotion.

Enter a compact apostolic shrine where Benevento has guarded the memory and traditional remains of its patron since the ninth century.

Primary sacred connectionSt. Bartholomew the Apostleprincipal relics traditionally preserved beneath the high altar
Research trail1 catalog sourceLast checked Sep 27, 2026
Pilgrim planningConfirm before travelingWorship times and access can change
TraditionRoman Catholic basilica and traditional apostolic tomb

The sacred connection

People and objects remembered here

These relationships are part of the destination record, with feast days and catalog qualifications shown where available.

SaintSt. Bartholomew the Apostle

principal relics traditionally preserved beneath the high altar

Feast: August 24
Sacred objectRelics traditionally identified as the body of St. Bartholomew

Tomb and bodily remains · Longstanding ecclesial tradition

Venerated within the active basilica.

What to notice

Look closely at the place and its story

01

The porphyry urn

Pray before the high altar above the relics venerated as St. Bartholomew’s body.

02

A city’s apostolic patron

See how Benevento’s civic and ecclesial identity gathers around the Apostle.

03

A shrine rebuilt after earthquakes

Read the present 1729 basilica as continuity after repeated loss.

Feasts, anniversaries & celebrations

Feast of Saint Bartholomew the ApostleConfirm the current archdiocesan program.

How to read this page

Sources, tradition, and what is verified

Source trail1 cited catalog source

The destination record was last checked on 9/27/2026.

Editorial standard

This page records the site’s tradition as “Roman Catholic basilica and traditional apostolic tomb.” That wording describes the nature of the claim and keeps devotional tradition distinct from independently verified history.