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Duomo

: Outside

: Feast of the Assumption – Bell tower

: Aisle

: Nave

The Duomo, namely basilica of S. Maria Maggiore (St. Mary the major), was erected in 432 AD by St. Symmachus, bishop and patron saint of Capua. The magnificent cathedral was built on St. Priscus’ crypt, which dates back to the firs years of Christianity.

The Christian community of Capua was one of the most ancient in Italy, founded by St. Priscus, disciple of Jesus, arrived to Capua with Saint Peter in the I century AD.

The legend narrates that Pope Adrian the first, while he was getting ready for the consecration and was near the altar, found there a writing in Latin that said: “Whoever will come to this Church with devotion at dawn and for the entire month of August, he shall be purified from all sins”.

The church was given the name of “S. Maria Suricorum” in spite of the recovering from leprosy of Errico, son of an emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

The interior, with five naves divided by 51 ancient columns with Corinthian capitals, has a basilica plan and many side chapels. Many paintings are preserved in the church’s interior among which Giacinto Diano’s “L’assunzione della Vergine”.