Pozzuoli Cathedral, Minor basilica and cathedral in Pozzuoli, Italy
Pozzuoli Cathedral is a house of worship at the highest point of the Rione Terra district, combining Roman temple remains with a baroque church added later. The structure features a rectangular layout with Corinthian columns that recall classical ancient architecture.
A wealthy merchant commissioned this temple in honor of Emperor Augustus, and it served as the religious center of the place for centuries. As Christianity emerged, the structure was converted into a sanctuary for the new faith between the 5th and 6th centuries.
The space shows how sacred buildings transformed over centuries, with Roman foundations standing alongside baroque ornaments to tell stories of different periods in the city's life. Visitors can literally read these layers of time in the walls.
The site sits higher than the rest of the neighborhood and is reachable on foot through nearby streets and stairs. It is convenient to visit while exploring the surrounding historic center, and the space is generally open to the public.
The temple walls were built from white marble blocks without mortar, showing how Roman craftsmen worked many centuries ago. This construction technique remains visible beneath the later baroque additions for those who know where to look.
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