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Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta: The Heart of Positano

Discover the iconic Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta in Positano, a beautiful church with a rich history and stunning Byzantine art.

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The Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, with its iconic majolica-tiled dome, is the main church of Positano and a focal point of the town. Known for its 13th-century Byzantine Black Madonna and Child, the church offers a glimpse into Positano's history and artistic heritage.

A brief summary to Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta

  • Monday 12 am-12 am
  • Tuesday 12 am-12 am
  • Wednesday 12 am-12 am
  • Thursday 12 am-12 am
  • Friday 12 am-12 am
  • Saturday 12 am-12 am
  • Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

  • Dress respectfully when visiting; shoulders and knees should be covered.
  • If visiting on a weekend, you might witness a traditional Italian wedding ceremony.
  • Take a moment to admire the colorful majolica-tiled dome, a signature element of Positano's skyline.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    The Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta is located in the heart of Positano, near Piazza Flavio Gioia. From most points in the town center, it's easily reachable on foot. Navigate towards the waterfront and the main beach (Spiaggia Grande); the church is a short walk from there. Keep an eye out for the distinctive dome as you approach.

  • Public Transport

    If arriving by SITA bus , disembark at the Positano bus stop on Viale Pasitea. From there, walk downhill towards the town center and waterfront. Follow the signs for Spiaggia Grande. The church is a few minutes' walk from the beach. Bus tickets cost around €2.40 for a single trip.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are available in Positano but can be expensive. A short taxi ride from the outskirts of town to the center will cost approximately €20-€30. Ask the driver to drop you off as close to Piazza Flavio Gioia as possible, as the immediate area around the church is pedestrianized.

  • Ferry

    If arriving by ferry from other towns on the Amalfi Coast (Amalfi, Capri, Sorrento) , you'll arrive at the Positano pier at Spiaggia Grande. The Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta is a very short walk from the pier, just steps away from the beach. Ferry tickets from Amalfi to Positano are around €9-€10.

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Discover more about Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta

The Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta is more than just a church; it's a symbol of Positano, its colorful dome a familiar sight in countless photographs. The church's history is intertwined with that of the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria, traditionally believed to have been built to house the Byzantine icon of the Madonna, which is still venerated today. A more likely origin places the abbey's founding in the second half of the 10th century. The abbey enjoyed considerable prestige until the mid-15th century when the last Benedictine abbot, Antonio Acciappaccia of Sorrento, and his monks abandoned the monastery. After a period of neglect, the church was renovated in the early 17th century and again in 1777, a project that lasted five years. In 1783, Archbishop Antonio Puoti consecrated the newly restored church and crowned the icon of the Madonna with a gold crown. The church's interior features a number of notable artworks. In the right nave, a bas-relief dated 1506 may be an ancient reliquary of San Vito. Opposite it, a 17th-century plaque commemorates the appointment of Pirro Giovanni Campanile as commendatory abbot of Positano. Above the door in the left nave is a late 16th-century painting of the Body of Christ. The chapel of Santo Stefano, to the right of the main altar, houses an 18th-century wooden statue of the Madonna and Child, while the chapel of the SS. Sacramento is on the left. During restoration work in the piazza and crypt, a Roman villa was discovered, though it remains closed to the public.

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