Don’t let the plain exterior of this 18th-century cathedral deceive you inside there is plenty of ornate artwork to admire.
Head to Cervia’s main square to see the imposing Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, which takes pride of place in the heart of the town. It stands as one of the town’s most impressive buildings, steeped in history.
Work began on the large yet humble cathedral in 1699. The project was directed by the architect Francesco Fontana of Rome. It was Bishop Francesco Riccamonti who laid the first stone. However, the bare stone façade was never fully completed because of the death of the bishop. Visit today to appreciate the architecture or to attend Mass.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta stands opposite Cervia’s Town Hall. The northern portion of the great cathedral is adjacent to the Palazzo del Vescovado. Notice the impressive bell tower that you see rising from the church. This was a slightly later addition and was built in 1750.
Venture inside the cathedral and you’ll see a layout of a single nave and six chapels, as well as ornate artwork. Look for the canvas by an anonymous artist depicting the town’s patron saint, Paterniano, as well as the piece Madonna della Neve by Barbara Longhi and one showing St. Joseph holding the baby Jesus.
Seek out the beautiful baptismal font before going in search of the statues of Madonna del Fuoco and San Lorenzo, both important biblical figures to the people of Cervia. The main altar is crafted from a beautiful multicolored marble. It has an altarpiece depicting saints Nicholas and Bartholomew, painted by Giovanni Barbiani.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is easily found in the heart of Cervia in the main square, which you can reach on foot from other attractions. Enjoy a coffee at one of the cafés in the square so you can take in the views of the cathedral’s façade before venturing inside. The cathedral is an important part of daily life in the town and is open year round.
