Church of Santa Maria Assunta, Parish church in Santa Maria Maggiore, Italy

The Church of Santa Maria Assunta is the parish church in Santa Maria Maggiore, featuring a rectangular nave with vaulted ceilings and golden travertine walls. A bell tower with Romanesque elements stands prominently on the facade and can be seen from various points around the village.

The original church dates to the 4th century and was founded by Saint Julius of Orta. It underwent complete reconstruction between 1733 and 1742, receiving the form we see today.

The name refers to Mary's Assumption, a central celebration in Catholic tradition. Visitors can see how this devotion shapes the decoration and layout throughout the interior.

The church stands in the historic centre of Santa Maria Maggiore, in the Val Vigezzo. The small Oratory of San Giovanni Battista, rebuilt against the north perimeter in the mid-18th century, is still used for winter celebrations. The tall Romanesque bell tower, the oldest structure in the valley apart from its renewed belfry, is the landmark to look for when approaching.

Inside, a relic of Saint Charles Borromeo is preserved, donated in 1628 by Count Carlo Borromeo as a gift to the parish. This gift reveals historical ties between the region and one of Italy's most influential religious families.