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This church was built in the second half of the 17th century to house the diocese of Mariana. Its decor bears witness to the wealth of Bastia from the Genoese period to the beginning of the 19th century.

In 1570, the see of the bishopric of Mariana was transferred to Bastia. The present structure was built between 1604 and 1619 on the site of a small church, Santa Maria della Consolazione (also called Santa Maria l’Arrimbata), erected in 1489 and leaning (arrimbata) on the rock. Inside, it is 44, 70 m long, 23,35m wide and 17, 10 metres high. The church tower, 38 metres high, was built in 1620. Here are some of the many works of art it houses : The wooden altarpiece of the Assumption, by Leonoro dell’Aquila, dating from 1512. The great altar in polychrome marble dating from the 18th century. The organ built by the famous Serassi Brothers and installed in 1844. The silver statue of the Assumption, made in 1852 by Gaetano Macchi. The walnut stalls by Giuseppe Fontana, dating from 1871. Seven ancient bishops’ hats are curiously hanging high up from the iron beams above the choir stalls. They are a reminder that seven bishops died in Bastia in the course of their offices, and that their bodies have been buried in the crypt of the cathedral. In 1937, the façade was repaired by the building contractors Raffalli-Thrull and Marzocchi-Bosdure. The façade and bell-tower were restored in 1998. The Cathedral was registered as protected heritage in 1929 and listed as a Historical Monument in 2000.

Bastia

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