Basilica Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, Romanesque church in Tuscania, Italy
The Basilica Church of Santa Maria Maggiore is a Romanesque building in Tuscania with a three-nave layout and marble portals. It features an octagonal baptismal font and a bell tower constructed from local volcanic stone.
The church was first documented in 852 through a papal bull issued by Pope Leo IV. It underwent major reconstruction between the late 11th and early 12th centuries.
Inside, frescoes from the 14th century depict the Last Judgment on the triumphal arch, while 13th-century representations of the Apostles appear on other walls. These paintings reveal how religious scenes shaped the spiritual experience of visitors across generations.
The church is open to visitors year-round, and guided tours have been available through the Regional Museum Directorate since 2014. It helps to check ahead about tour timing and accessibility conditions.
The baptismal font is the only immersion basin in Tuscania and retained this special role even after San Pietro became the main cathedral. This feature offers a rare glimpse into how believers performed ritual bathing in early medieval times.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
