Cathedral of the Most Holy Assumption of Mary into Heaven

Seat of the Diocese of Ugento-Santa Maria di Leuca, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta was built in Ugento in 1700, almost two centuries after the town was destroyed by the Saracens.\n\nThe sacred building stands on the remains of a Gothic church and features various elements added in subsequent centuries, such as the facade with a neoclassical pediment and colonnade, built in 1855.\n\nThe single-nave interior in the Latin cross shape contains several altars, including one dedicated to the souls in purgatory with a 1742 painting depicting the Madonna del Carmine, and the 18th-century altar dedicated to Saint Catherine de’ Fieschi and Saint Andrew the Apostle, enriched by a canvas by Paolo Fenoglio.\n\nThe presbytery includes a rococo-style olive wood choir, while the main altar and balustrade, both dating from 1740, bear the coat of arms of Bishop Arcangelo Maria Ciccarelli, who commissioned their creation.