The Cathedral of the Madonna del Ponte, located in Lanciano, is the city’s main church and the seat of the Archdiocese of Lanciano-Ortona. Built over the ancient Diocletian Bridge, a Roman-era structure, it is an architectural rarity. Pope Pius X elevated it to minor basilica in 1909, and in 1940, it was declared a National Monument. The current church, built in the 18th century, replaced older structures, blending neoclassical and baroque styles. The facade, designed by Eugenio Michitelli in 1819, remained unfinished until the 20th century. Inside, the cathedral boasts paintings by Giacinto Diano, vaulted ceiling frescoes, the large dome rebuilt in the 1950s, and a magnificent marble altar, crafted by the Di Cicco brothers. It also houses the revered statue of the Madonna del Ponte, a terracotta figure crowned in 1833, which is a key element of local devotion.
Beneath the cathedral lies the Diocletian Auditorium, an archaeological site forming part of a subterranean complex connecting it to the Church of the Annunciation and the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle. Excavations have uncovered remains of a medieval bridge and a possible Roman bridge from the 3rd century AD. The bell tower, built between 1610 and 1620, is known as the Civic Tower as it was also used for public assemblies in the 19th century. Every December 23rd, the cathedral is the starting point for the Squilla tradition, a symbolic journey commemorating Mary and Joseph’s pilgrimage to Bethlehem. The Diocesan Museum houses ancient liturgical objects, sacred vestments, ex-votos, and relics, including the treasures of the Madonna del Ponte. Over centuries, the cathedral has withstood wars, earthquakes, and renovations, the latest one following the 1984 earthquake, ensuring its place as a historical and religious landmark.
- Address
Piazza del Plebiscito, 1, Lanciano, Italy - Web
None - Visiting Hours
Everyday from 7:00 to 19:00 - What to see
Diocletian bridge
