Fondi - Santa Maria Assunta

The first historical reference to Fondi dates to 338 BC, at the time of the Latin War, when its inhabitants gained minor Roman citizenship status. The importance of Fondi lay in its position across the old Via Appia, the main roadway from Rome to southern Italy.

In the 6th century, Fondi was devastated by the Lombards but remained a dominion of the Eastern Roman Empire. Later a part of the Papal States, in 846 it was burnt out by the Saracens they settled there until they were defeated in the naval battle of Circeo of 877.

In 1140 Fondi passed to the Dell'Aquila family, of Norman heritage, and then, in 1299, to the powerful Caetani barons, who for two centuries made Fondi the center of their power.

Santa Maria Assunta (aka Santa Maria in Piazza) was built by Onorato II Caetani d'Aragona, Count of Fondi, on a church attested as early as 1126.

The building was completed in 1490, though it was consecrated only in 1508, following the death of Count Onorato. The church suffered extensive damage from the bombings.