Points of Interest: It is the seat of a bishopric. Flooding has left little of the ancient town.
Monuments:
The partial remains of a Roman theater were excavated in the 1980s. Of major interest are the scena and the area which housed the choir and musicians.
The Castello dei Conti has a massive round tower. The castle, founded in the 9th century, was built on the site of a Roman theater and followed the plan of this earlier structure. Excavators have unearthed large portions of the ancient structure. Some excellent examples of Norman era architecture and art have also been discovered in the first floor of the castle.
Outside the center, but within the commune are the ruins of ancient Suessula and the 18th century Casa Spinelli.
Museums:
In one part of the Castello dei Conti is the Museo delle Genti di Liburia – Museo della Maschera, del Folklore e della Civiltà Contadina which contains some interesting masks and other materials connected with the local folklore and daily lives of the peasant community.
The museum contains a number of interesting artifacts excavated from the nearby ruins of Suessula.
Churches (& other religious sites):
The 16th century Baroque Cathedral of S. Maria Assunta sits on the site of an ancient temple of Hercules. It partially collapsed in 1789 and was restored in 1843. The structure was almost completely rebuilt between 1859 and 1874. The façade was built in 1874. The Cathedral’s atrium is decorated with Ionic columns. Its interior has a nave and two aisles. Some of the relics from the earlier cathedral (including an outstanding Renaissance bishop’s throne) are preserved in the present one. The stuccowork decoration was added in the mid-18th century. Near the entrance there is a 16th century marble relief depicting the Annunciation on the holy-water stoup. There is a fine altarpiece painting from 1798 by Giacinto Diana showing the Assumption.
The Baroque church of the Annunziata possesses a beautiful dome. One of its chapels contains a 12th century Franco-Italian wooden crucifix. The 14th /15th century altarpiece depicts an Annunciation.
Culture:
Festivals/Feasts/Events:
Journey of the Befana- Jan. 6.