The cathedral contains a high altar made of polychrome marble saved from the ruins of the cathedral that existed before the 1908 earthquake.
The bronze portals on the facade depict scenes from the life of St. Paul, who is traditionally said to have preached in Reggio Calabria while traveling to Rome.
The structure incorporates elements of Neo-Romanesque architecture, a choice intended to recall the city's ancient Byzantine and Norman past.
The cathedral's crypt houses the Diocesan Museum, which protects sacred art and liturgical objects spanning from the 15th to the 20th century.
The interior columns are constructed using reinforced concrete, a technical necessity for structural safety following the seismic activity that destroyed the previous iteration.
The Basilica Cattedrale di Maria Santissima Assunta in Cielo is the largest religious building in Calabria and the mother church of the Archdiocese of Reggio Calabria-Bova. The current structure was reconstructed in the early 20th century following the devastating 1908 earthquake and tsunami that leveled much of the city. Designed by architect Mariano Cannizzaro, the facade displays a Romanesque-Liberty style with two distinct towers. The interior features a three-nave Latin cross plan divided by massive columns and intricate marble decorations. Notable artistic elements include the 16th-century bronze portal by sculptor Ludovico Bertucci and several preserved relics from the previous medieval and baroque structures. The cathedral houses the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament, known for its elaborate marble and stucco work, as well as several significant paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries. It serves as the primary seat for the city's liturgical celebrations and major religious processions.
The center of Piazza Duomo provides the best perspective to capture the entire facade and the dual bell towers.
Visit the attached Diocesan Museum to see the collection of ecclesiastical silver and historical vestments.
Check the bulletin board near the entrance for the schedule of liturgical organ concerts.
Walk around the perimeter of the piazza to view the exterior facade from different angles to appreciate the symmetry of the twin towers.
Avoid visiting during active funeral services or high-traffic Sunday morning masses if you are strictly there for tourism.
Modest dress is required: shoulders and knees must be covered. Silence is expected; photography is permitted without flash.
