Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta

The Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta is a cathedral in Tricarico arranged as a three-nave basilica with multiple chapels distributed along its central structure. The interior features columns and vaults that define the three aisles and guide the eye toward the altar at the far end.

Robert Guiscard initiated construction of this church in the 11th century, while his nephew Roberto di Montescaglioso provided financial support for the religious building. This founding during Norman rule shaped the religious history of Tricarico for centuries to come.

The cathedral displays artworks across its altars and walls spanning several centuries, including a 16th-century triptych showing the Madonna and Child with Saints Francis and Anthony. These paintings shape the interior experience and reflect the artistic tastes that have mattered to worshippers over time.

The church sits at Piazza Raffaello delle Nocche in the center of Tricarico and is easily accessible on foot. Regular services take place, and you can visit at various times depending on local schedules and religious activities.

Inside the Secretarium chapel sits a fragment of a 3rd-century sarcophagus depicting the myth of Myrrha and Adonis, later adorned with 17th-century stucco decorations. This unusual blend of ancient mythology and later added ornaments tells of the different artistic layers within this chapel.