The modern cathedral dedicated to Cristo Re replaced the church of Santa Maria Assunta, which had held the title of cathedral since the creation of the spezian Diocese in 1929. The cathedral faces onto piazza Europa, and is built on a small relief that stretches out to the sea, over the remains of the Cappuccini convent. A harbour office is has also been built on the relief, overlooking the sea.
A competition was held to decide who would design and supervise the building of the church, which was won by Brenno Del Giudice. However, construction soon ground to a halt and was restarted in 1956 under the supervision of Adalberto Libero, and later Cesare Galeazzi, who both changed the design to suit their liking. The cathedral was consecrated in 1975.
This imposing building has a circular base, and is surrounded by a lovely courtyard, which is dominated by a large cupola supported by 12 columns. The church preserves an effigy of Cristo Re del Maragliano and the remains of San Vernerio, patron saint of the Gulf of Spezia, as well as those of San Terenzo and Sant’Eutichiano, two former bishops of Luni. The tomb of the first bishop of the diocese, Monsignor Costantini, is also housed in the cathedral.

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La Spezia churches