The Basilica of St. Eustachio in Pontone, Scala - The history
Around 1070 the small urban city was founded as an Episcopal realty by the maritime duke of Amalfi and was divided into six boroughs one of these called Pontone was without doubt the most populated where the nobles families resided devoting their ability to the production of wool and commerce with the eastern mediterranean.
One of the most important aristocratic family of alla Pontone's boroughs was the D'Afflittos. They lived in a towered house with arab bath witch was situated in a strategical position on this territory.
Opposite the original residence during the 12 c, they built the church of the St. Eustachio. It was dedicated to the roman martyr who was considered by ancient traditions to be the founder of the D'Afflitto's family: the surname itself recalls owing to an old handed down tale of the aforesaid family the sorrowful afflictions that the martyr who was the founder of this family underwent (D'Afflitto - Afflicted).
From the time of the original building to recent restorations, important traces still remain. Its establishment dating back to 1187 results in being placed over three naves which evidence the plan of the basilica.
The basilica posses a lower crypt and it faces east like all medieval churches.
The naves were originally separated by large marble columns with plan classical capitals that were transported from various areas of the mediterranean: examples of likewise proof are still visible sculptures found on the floor of the building of workship.
The outer walls of the apsis show decorations with bichrome inlaiu-work which outline inter wdven arches and starlike motifs characterised by the islamic, spanish and african countries.
Along the lateral walls narrow arrowslits favour a time when this place of workship was completely enclosed by a roof and also over some other parts like the secondary nave and above all over the central apsis where the main sunlight penetrated, giving it a prayful effect in the golden rays of light. Today at certan times of day these effects are still evident in the overhanging church of the Annunziata di Minuta.
At the entrance in the past there where two foristyled marbled lions which can found today at the Hotel Caruso, which since 1240 was be once the Ravello residence for the "D'Afflitto's".
The artistic style and architectonic of St. Eustachio's basilica in Pontone (as pointed out by the studious american Glenn Lowry) was transfered by the noble Scalese merchants, who had prestigious assignments also at the royal cury in Palermo and above all by the D'Afflitto's in norman Sicily.