Cathedral of Foggia in Foggia, Italy Verified listing

Cathedral of Foggia in Foggia, Italy

The Foggia Cathedral (Italian: Cattedrale di Foggia, Cattedrale della Santa Maria Assunta in Coelo, or della Santa Maria in Fovea; Latin: Santa Maria Icona Vetere) stands in Foggia, Italy. The cathedral dedicates itself to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and serves as the seat of the Archbishop of Foggia-Bovino. Builders originally constructed the cathedral in the 1170s as a collegiate church, following the Romanesque style.

In 1731, an earthquake severely damaged the cathedral. As a result, restoration work replaced much of the original design with the Baroque style. Over time, the cathedral gained increasing importance. When the Diocese of Foggia formed in 1855, the church became the official cathedral of the diocese. In 1979, the diocese gained archdiocese status, and in 1986, the Diocese of Bovino merged with Foggia to create the Archdiocese of Foggia-Bovino.

The cathedral also holds a significant relic: the ancient icon of the Virgin Mary. Known as "Santa Maria Icona Vetere", this icon is sometimes called the "Madonna dei sette veli" or the "Madonna of the Seven Veils". The icon carries immense spiritual and cultural significance.

Today, the Foggia Cathedral showcases a striking mix of Romanesque and Baroque architecture. Visitors admire both its architectural beauty and its rich spiritual history. The iconic image of the Virgin Mary at the cathedral’s heart makes it an important center of religious devotion.

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