Cathedral of Nostra
Signora Assunta
savona
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
The Cathedral of Nostra Signora Assunta is the city’s main place of worship. At the end of the 16th century, the Republic of Genoa ordered the demolition of the old medieval cathedral of Santa Maria di Castello to make way for the construction of the Priamar Fortress. This was a traumatic event for the city, which not only lost its religious heart but also a symbol of its identity. Before the destruction, the people of Savona made sure to save the sacred furnishings, artifacts, and remains of the body of Blessed Octavian, preserved in the old cathedral, while waiting to find them a new home.
It was then decided to build the new cathedral on the site formerly occupied by the Church of San Francesco, where the future Pope Sixtus IV had once studied. Work began around 1584 but was hindered by disputes and lack of funds. However, an extraordinary event renewed hope: a frescoed column depicting the Madonna fell without breaking. Interpreted as a divine sign, it gave fresh impetus to the construction. The cathedral was consecrated in 1605, and today the Madonna of the Column is still there, an object of devotion for the city.
Inside, visitors can admire the Baroque tabernacle by Orazio Grassi, a 17th-century carved pulpit, and beautifully executed frescoes and sculptures.
THIS PLACE IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE
The cathedral is a remarkable blend of art, history, and spirituality. Among its treasures is an extraordinarily beautiful wooden choir, commissioned by Cardinal Giuliano Della Rovere, the future Pope Julius II. This masterpiece was created in two phases: the first, signed by Anselmo de Fornari and Elia Rocchi in 1514; the second, by Gian Michele Pantaleoni, who, according to some sources, was still working on it in 1521.
Saved from the destruction of the old cathedral, the choir was relocated and adapted to the new cathedral. Although some parts were lost, its elegance remains intact. The wooden stalls, arranged in two tiers, feature intricate iconography: the lower register depicts animals, still lifes with sacred ornaments, liturgical books, and musical and astrological instruments; the upper register displays saints, apostles, and doctors of the Church.
The cathedral also hosts the city’s most heartfelt religious celebrations, including the Feast of Nostra Signora della Misericordia, whose procession begins at the cathedral and concludes at the sanctuary.