Collegiata di S. Maria a Mare, Roman Catholic church in Maiori, Italy.
The Collegiata di S. Maria a Mare is a Catholic church on a hill in central Maiori with three naves, a coffered ceiling, and a majolica-covered hemispherical dome. The building houses a crypt with the remains of Saint Clement and a museum of sacred art.
The church was built in the 13th century and received collegiate status in 1506 through a papal decree from Pope Julius II. This appointment marked an important moment in the growth of the site's religious importance.
The central nave displays a 1529 coffered ceiling created by neapolitan painter Alessandro de Fulco, commissioned by local noble families. The craftsmanship of this ceiling continues to define the interior today.
Visitors should note that access to the church involves climbing steps, which requires navigation up the hill. The crypt and museum are integrated into the visit and offer additional insights into the site's history.
A wooden statue of the Virgin Mary was discovered on the beach in 1204 and inspired the church's name and local worship. This discovery remains a central element of local faith practice today.
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