Basilica Concattedrale di San Cassiano

In the huge square called St. Cassiano the beautiful town Cathedral rises up with its 18th century solemn bell tower.

It rises majestically on Piazza XX Settembre. The ancient origins of the diocese are uncertain; a plaque located in the sacristy attributes to Bishop Vincenzo the founding in 708 of the first Romanesque cathedral dedicated to this saint. Designed by the Roman architect Angelo Cerruti, the current building was consecrated in 1740. The internal structure has a single aisle with side chapels. Creating a dramatic backdrop is the imposing marble altar with angels to its sides, complementary to the faux monochrome altarpiece by the Bolognese Giuseppe Gotti, with Saints Mauro and Nicholas of Tolentino that encircle the 16th-century wooden image of Saint Cassian, patron saint of the city and the diocese. Th bell tower, work of the Venetian Giorgio Fossati, was erected coeval with the cathedral and is set to its side. A painted panel at the church entrance illustrates the ambitious original design. The project lost its momentum following a collapse that took place in 1757 when construction was nearly completed, resulting in the tower’s height being reduced.