Mother Church of S. Maria Maggiore | Maratea

Mother Church of S. Maria Maggiore

The Mother Church of Santa Maria Maggiore has been the parish church of Maratea Borgo, the historic center of the municipality, since 1434.

Long used primarily during the summer months, it is nestled between picturesque alleyways and a triangular piazza, and with its shape and its bell tower, it is the prominent architectural element of the urban center.

The ancient core of the church dates back to the 12th to 14th centuries, and its remains are still visible through a window placed in the center of the nave of the current church, built in 1505 by Master Mercurio Greco.

It is traditional that the dedication of the church be a repetition of that of the old church of S. Maria al Castello, which no longer exists, from which the mother church would have inherited many objects and furnishings, such as the statue of the Assumption, with a base dated 1646, placed in the central niche of the choir.

Works of art in the Church

The interior of the Mother Church of Maratea, decorated in the Baroque style in the 18th century, was enlarged at the same time with the addition of a tower space, which today forms the presbytery and the choir of the church.

In the nave one can admire a beautiful painting of the Baptism of Christ, one of the Immaculate Conception dated 1690, a Nativity with St. Stephen and St. Catherine by A. M. Ricciardi of the 18th century, and a Trinity signed by Francesco Oliva da Mormanno in 1760.
These are complemented by fine wooden sculptures, including an “Ecce Homo” from the 15th century and the choir loft, refurbished by Marco de Sanctis in 1729.

Near the baptismal font, the statues that survived the 1857 earthquake can be seen.

The Church of S. Maria Maggiore does not have a proper facade, but one of its sides opens onto a triangular piazza and displays two praying angels, carved in the fifteenth century.

Next to the structure rises the Romanesque bell tower, rebuilt after the earthquake of January 2, 1831.

The website www.maratea.info is updated by the volunteers of ALTRITURISMI.it
MAKE A DONATION
- To stay updated on the activities of AltriTurismi ETS -> Subscribe to the newsletter

Visit the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore

To reach the church:

Pedestrian zone; leave your car in one of the parking lots in the Historic Center and continue on foot.

Santa Maria Maggiore
Mother Church

PAPAL BASILICA SANCTUARY OF SAINT BIAGIO