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Church · Positano, Campânia
Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta
The church with the green-and-yellow ceramic dome that appears in almost every photo of Positano, next to the beach, with the Byzantine icon of the Black Virgin on the altar.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta
The Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, also called the Collegiata, sits just above the Spiaggia Grande. Its dome covered in green, yellow and blue ceramics is Positano's landmark seen from the sea and the road's bends.
The church began as a Benedictine abbey built over a Roman villa destroyed by the eruption of the Vesúvio in AD 79. It was reconsecrated to the Virgin in 1159 and, over the centuries, acquired its present form, rebuilt in the 18th century.
On the high altar is the Byzantine icon of the Black Virgin. Legend says a ship from the East remained motionless at sea until the sailors heard a voice saying 'posa, posa' (pousa, pousa), they disembarked the icon and then sailed away. From that, according to tradition, the village's name would come.
Under the church and the square, an archaeological museum displays part of the Roman villa, with frescoes. The Feast of the Assumption, on August 15, features a procession and a reenactment of the landing of the image on the beach.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 20–30 minutes at the church; another 30 minutes if you include the archaeological museum beneath it.
Best time
In the morning, before the beach gets crowded. Avoid mass times when walking around. To photograph the dome from a distance, go late afternoon to Via Cristoforo Colombo at the top of the village.
How to get there
On foot, descending the alleyways from the center down to the square in front of the Spiaggia Grande. Boats dock at the pier beside the beach, a few steps from the church.
Tip
Shoulders and knees covered to enter. The archaeological museum of the Roman villa operates on its own schedule and charges admission; check in advance. Its entrance is in the square next to the church.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta
Why is the dome of Positano colorful?
It is covered with green, yellow and blue ceramic tiles, a tradition of the region's churches.
What is under the church?
Remains of a Roman villa destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, with frescoes, open to visitors in an archaeological museum with an admission fee.
Is there an entrance fee for the church?
Entrance to the church is free. The archaeological museum underneath is paid; check opening times.
When is the patron saint's feast?
On 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption, with a procession and a performance on the beach. The village becomes very crowded.