Acerra Cathedral

Acerra Cathedral, officially known as the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta and sometimes referred to as Duomo di Acerra, is a prominent Roman Catholic cathedral located in the town of Acerra in Campania, southern Italy. It is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

History and Significance

The cathedral holds significant historical and religious importance as it has served as the episcopal see for the Bishop of Acerra since the 11th century. The present structure, however, is a 19th-century reconstruction, built in the Neoclassical style. It stands on a site with ancient roots, having been built upon the foundations of an Ancient Roman temple dedicated to Hercules, highlighting a continuous tradition of sacred use.

Architecture and Art

The cathedral features a Latin cross ground plan, comprising a nave and two side aisles separated by piers, and is crowned by a cupola. The west front exhibits distinct Neoclassical elements, notably adorned with eight large Ionic columns. The interior of Acerra Cathedral houses a collection of significant artworks, including the principal altarpiece depicting the Assumption of the Virgin Mary by Giacinto Diana, painted in 1796. Other notable pieces include a 17th-century painting of the Madonna with Rosary by Giovan Bernardo Azzolino and a painting of San Girolamo by Fabrizio Santafede. Additionally, a carving in high relief, attributed to the school of Giovanni da Nola, is also housed within the cathedral.