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The Cathedral of St Mary of the Assumption in Sora: two thousand years of history in one building
The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Sora is a unique architectural palimpsest: it began as a Roman temple between the 2nd and 1st centuries BC, became an Early Christian church, changed form during the Middle Ages and the Baroque era, and survived earthquakes and fires. It is the symbolic monument of the city and the diocese.
Roman origins
Beneath the current cathedral, excavations in the 1970s revealed a Tuscan temple, featuring 9-metre-high travertine block walls, an original podium, and flooring. Artefacts found include votive offerings dedicated to Mars and Flora. The building once stood close to the Forum Aureum, today’s Piazza Indipendenza.
Destruction and rebirth
Already a bishop's seat by the late 5th century, the cathedral was re-consecrated in 1104 following its destruction. In 1229, Frederick II razed it to the ground, but in his will, he ordered its reconstruction at the expense of the imperial treasury. On the night of January 12-13, 1916, a fire completely destroyed it, leaving only the walls standing. Now restored, it houses Baroque furnishings and artworks spanning from the 15th to the 20th century.
