Co-Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta

Walking through the beautiful artistic town of Atri, in the province of Teramo, you cannot fail to notice the beautiful Co-Cathedral Church of Santa Maria Assunta, important evidence of the evolution of art and sacred life in Abruzzo.

Founded between 1260 and 1305 on the remains of an earlier 9th-10th century church, itself built on an ancient Roman thermal complex and destroyed in the following century, it is a magnificent example of medieval architecture. The sober and majestic façade is adorned with a Gothic portal by Raimondo di Poggio.

Notice every detail, take your time to admire every little ornament. Gaze at the imposing façade and focus on the large central rose window, beautifully carved, with a niche at the top housing a statue of the Madonna and Child.

Now is the time to enter the Co-cathedral and walk through the three naves divided by arches. Don't miss the unique stoup on the second pillar on the right, depicting a woman in traditional Atri clothing.

Before reaching the real jewel of the church, look down through the glass panes of the presbytery to see the floor of an ancient Roman bathhouse. Looking up again, you will find the 16th-century baptismal font of Lombard influence, dating back to the 13th-14th centuries.

Now let yourself be enchanted by the frescoes of the Canon Choir, a masterpiece by Andre de Litio, painted between 1460 and 1470. These frescoes, depicting the life of Jesus, are known for their vivid details and scenes of everyday life that make the narrative accessible and moving.

Moving on you find the Cloister of the Co-Cathedral, an excellent example of medieval architecture built in the early 1200s. Originally the seat of the Cistercian Fathers and later of the Canons of the Cathedral Chapter, in the 1400s it was transformed into an episcopal cemetery dedicated to the burial of the bishops of the diocese, the prelates of Atri and prominent citizens.

Descending an external staircase, you reach the water cistern, with a portal and four windows decorating the entrance side, creations from the second half of the 12th century.

Visiting the Co-Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta means plunging into an atmosphere of peace and spirituality. Plan your visit and be enchanted by the timeless beauty of this extraordinary sacred place.

Ph credit: preview image of Di Luca Aless CC BY-SA 4.0