The majestic façade and symbolism of Santa Maria Assunta
La maestosa facciata di Santa Maria Assunta che si erge nella suggestiva cornice dei grandi palazzi medievali e barocchi di Piazza Marconi, anticamente conosciuta come Piazza San Giovanni, con la sua imponente struttura e la sua linea elegante, caratterizzata dal basamento in calcare dalle robuste modanature, dalle due torri campanarie e dalla nicchia che ospita la statua di San Giovanni Battista, rappresenta un simbolo dell’antichità, della storia, della grandezza e della spiritualità della comunità di Atina.
Medieval origins and 15th century reconstruction
The first mention of this church with the title “Sancti Johannis supra muro de medio” dates back to the Privilege of Innocent III of 15 August 1208. After the earthquake of 9 September 1349, which devastated the town and also caused serious damage to the Abbey of Montecassino, the reconstruction of the church of San Giovanni on the top of the hill of the same name is assumed to have begun. In 1405, on the testamentary provision of Giulio Marino, Nicola Marino handed over a considerable sum of money to the provost Nicola da Campoli for the construction of a bell tower next to the church. This was erected by the inhabitants of Atina and equipped with three bells, as well as a smaller one to mark the hours. The first significant extension dates back to the first two decades of the 16th century, when the provost Marcantonio Papa (?-1530) added two side chapels with altars, the sacristy in the middle of the existing temple and extended the structure towards the south.
The Baroque transformation and the unification of the title
The Jubilee of 1725 marked the occasion for a complete renovation, which gave the building the imposing form it still retains today. The work lasted about twenty years and the new church was solemnly consecrated in 1746 by Francesco Antonio Spadea, Bishop of Aquino and Provost of Atina. During the 18th century, the title of Santa Maria Assunta was added to that of St John the Baptist and, from 1758, the unified title became Santa Maria Assunta e i Santi Giovanni Battista ed Evangelista, before evolving, from 1788, into the exclusive title of Santa Maria Assunta, which completely replaced the previous ones.
The 19th century: Co-cathedral title and pictorial cycles
In 1798, the church was decorated with a “noble façade” by the Bishop of Aquino and Provost of Atina, Giuseppe De Mellis. In the first half of the 19th century, the Atino artist Teodoro Mancini (1796-1868) frescoed the dome and the vault of the nave. On 3 May 1878, the Sacred Consistorial Congregation conferred the title of Co-cathedral on the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, equating it with that of Montecassino.
Restorations between the 19th and 20th centuries after major earthquakes
In 1873, a violent earthquake struck the building, causing damage to the foundations. The administrator of the time, Giandomenico Elia, carried out a longitudinal extension, adding the apse with the wooden choir and sacristy, as well as frescoes above the choir, the high altar, new gilding and the current marble flooring. These works were completed in 1906. Despite the Marsica earthquake in 1915, the building stood firm.
World War II and the reconstruction of the dome
During the Second World War, the war events of 1943-44 severely affected Atina and the church, causing the collapse of the hexagonal dome and the destruction of the frescoes that adorned the interior. Repair work was quickly completed and the new dome was blessed on 18 October 1947. The 1950s saw the completion of interior restoration work following the damage caused by the war.
From interventions in 1984 to recognition as a Jubilee Church
The earthquake of 7/11 May 1984 caused further damage to the church, but thanks to consolidation work carried out between 1989 and 1991, the church was able to reopen for worship after being closed for seven years. Funding from Law No. 651 of 22 December 1996 for internal restoration, combined with the generous participation of the inhabitants of Atina, restored the Church of Santa Maria Assunta to its historical, artistic and spiritual splendour.
By decree of 1 October 1999, the Ordinary Abbot of Montecassino, Monsignor Bernardo D'Onorio, included the church among the Jubilee Churches of the Territorial Abbey of Montecassino.
