Church of St. Mary Major

The church was built over an early Christian place of worship that had been converted from a Roman temple. Roman ruins can be seen in the crypt, especially in the capitals and walls. The faded frescoes also date to the same period. It has been a cathedral -- the main church of the bishop’s see -- since the eleventh century, or in  other words, since the time that the Church of St. Rufinus was consecrated. The façade, which has two entrances, is made of stone and with the exception of the two  vertical fasciae and the charming central rose window, it is quite plain. The church was restructured during the twelfth century and has remained this way ever since.  The bell tower was built during the fourteenth century