Cathedral of Maria Santissima Achiropita – Rossano

Description

The Cathedral of Maria Santissima Achiropita in Rossano (province of Cosenza) was built in the 11^th century over a previous Byzantine building and modified in the 18^th and 19^th centuries: the façade and bell tower were rebuilt after an earthquake in 1836.
The Cathedral has three naves and three apses and conserves the icon of the 8^th century Madonna Achiropita in a polychrome marble altar niche on the central nave. Legend holds that the fresco was not produced by human hand but by the Mother of God herself hence the name Achiropita (not made by human hand). There are fragments of Byzantine mosaics on the floor near the altar while the altar and chapel decoration features valuable 18^th century marbles and paintings on canvas.

Position on map