Italy - Brixen Cathedral

The ‘Dom Mariae Aufnahme in den Himmel und St. Kassian’ (Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and San Cassiano) is the largest church in Brixen, once belonging to the powerful Principality of Brixen, nowadays the diocese of Bolzano-Brixen. Although Bolzano is currently the city of residence of the bishop, the most important church in South Tyrol is still the cathedral in Brixen.

The cathedral is dating back to the late 10th century when the main building and its annexes were erected. A fire destroyed the church in 1174. The new romanesque-gothic building was rebuilt in the baroque style during the period of 1745 to 1755.

The cathedral’s two towers (PiP 1) are the landmark of the city of Brixen. The interior of the cathedral is a masterpiece of historical and artistic value. Its wide domed nave is decorated with rich marble and stucco (PiP 2). The main altar has a very striking altarpiece (PiP 3), but the decorative highlight is the fresco on the ceiling.