Co-cathedral Basilica of Maria SS. Assunta

The Co-Cathedral

The co-cathedral of the Diocese Alife-Caiazzo is located near the ancient forum, at the time Piazza Giuseppe Verdi and later called Piazza S.Stefano. The church, according to some historians, stands on a pagan temple dedicated to Mars and Jupiter, according to others on a basilica.

The basilica has undergone several renovations in different eras.

Elevated to a diocese, in 1284 it was later dedicated to Saint Stephen Menicillo, in 1512 when the body of the saint was found and arranged. In 1696 Bishop Filioli had the organ and the ceiling decorated with paintings and gilding and a marble altar.

Bishop Vigilante, elected in 1727, began the restoration of the cathedral with the enlargement and construction of the sacristy and the chapel of St. Stephen. The works were realized by the architect Tagliacozzi Canale and the decorations by the plasterer Stefano Zagarolo.