Santa Maria Maggiore, Romanesque cathedral in Spilimbergo, Italy

Santa Maria Maggiore is the arcipretal cathedral of Spilimbergo, built from 1284 against an existing town wall, which gives its plan an irregular shape; the bell tower rises over one of that wall's gateways. The facade is very plain and pierced by seven oculi, two of them walled up in 1858 and reopened in 2011. The main entrance is not on the facade but on the north side, facing Piazza Duomo: a portal made in 1376 by Zenone da Campione, once reserved for the lords, beside a 14th-century fresco of Saint Christopher.

Walterpertoldo, lord of Spilimbergo, commissioned the church in 1284 and laid the first stone on 4 October of that year. Building lasted until about 1359, but consecration came only in 1453. The irregular plan comes from reusing existing structures: the church leans against a town wall and the bell tower rises on one of its gateways.

The presbytery frescoes, painted 1350–1380 by an unknown artist called the Master of the Pavilions, follow the model of Vitale da Bologna's work in Udine Cathedral. The right wall shows Old Testament scenes from Adam and Eve to Solomon; the left wall shows the life of Christ, ending with the Crucifixion on the end wall. The north chapel of the crypt holds the tomb of Walterpertoldo, lord of Spilimbergo and podestà of Treviso, who died in 1382; until 1964 it stood on the square beside the church.

The cathedral is accessible to visitors on most days, and it helps to arrive early when the church is less crowded and natural light best illuminates the frescoes. Dress respectfully, as this remains an active place of worship.

The main entrance is not on the facade but on the north side, facing Piazza Duomo: a portal carved in 1376 by Zenone da Campione, once reserved for the lords of Spilimbergo. Beside it stands a colossal 14th-century fresco of Saint Christopher.