Around the year 1000, the splendor and grandeur of Ventimiglia were concentrated in the Upper Town, where the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta still stands. Crossing the threshold of the Cathedral is like taking a journey into the Middle Ages, and into the solemn sacredness of the Gothic style.

History and Style

Initially conceived with a single nave, around 1100 the cathedral was rebuilt with three naves. Part of the building’s charm lies in the stratification of architectural styles: the right side and the facade are Romanesque, but it is possible to recognize thirteenth-century, Gothic and, Baroque elements.

The Bell Tower

The bell tower dates back to the 12th century but the upper section was modified in the 19th century.

The Baptistery

Next to the minor apse on the left, you can admire the 11th century baptistery dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, with a majestic immersion basin.

The crypt

The crypt preserves part of the early medieval church from the 8th century and houses ancient stone fragments dating back to the 8th-12th century. Here, according to some sources, the relics of San Secondo, to whom the church was originally dedicated, were kept.