Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, Romanesque cathedral in Melfi, Italy
Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta is a Romanesque cathedral in Melfi featuring a tall bell tower decorated with bifore windows. These windows use white Trani stone and black lava stone to create a distinctive pattern across the facade.
Construction began under Robert Guiscard between 1076 and 1153, reflecting the Norman presence in the region. Roger II later oversaw changes to the facade and commissioned the bell tower that defines the building today.
Inside you can see a Byzantine Madonna and Baroque wooden pieces that reflect the artistic layers of this place. The large reliquary of Saint Alexander, the town's patron, is venerated by visitors and locals alike.
The cathedral sits on Piazza Guglielmo Marconi, where the square was recently renovated with a new entrance door added in 2010. You can easily reach it on foot and enjoy a clean, modern entrance area.
The bell tower rises about 50 meters high and is divided into three clearly distinct stories. The interplay of white and black stones creates intricate depictions of mythical animals that you can spot when looking closely.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
