The cathedral (Ecclesia Maior) of Nocera probably rests on the foundations of a temple dedicated to the goddess Favonia, who gave the name to one of the two tribes of the founders of Nocera (Umbrian:Noukria, "the New"), the Favonienses.[1] The church existed for sure before the year thousand, and was the most ancient church of the territory.[2] The most probable location is the top of the hill where medieval Nocera rose.[2] During the middle ages the town was a best equipped fortress ("fortissima arx nucerina") ramparted by the Lombards in defense of the Duchy of Spoleto against the Byzantines who controlled Gualdo Tadino and Gubbio.[3] The dedicatio is surely that one of Maria Assunta, festivity that in the west reached its apogee in the centuries VIII-IX.[2] Historical documents attest the existence of a Romanesque cathedral already in the XI-XII century. In the XI century the church was the family chapel of the comital family.[4] The shrine – named Sancta Maria infra Arcem ("St. Mary in the fortress") – lay inside the city fortress, destroyed by EmperorFrederick II in the struggle between Guelphs and Ghibellines in 1248.[2] Abandoned in ruins, in this period the church then called Sancta Maria vetus, placed where today is the church of S. Giovanni of the monastery of the Poor Clares, assumed the function of cathedral.[2] Only in the mid-fifteenth century was undertaken the reconstruction of the old cathedral: the work began in 1448, exactly two hundred years after its devastation.[4] In July 1487 were buried in the church the relics of St. Raynald, patron saint of the city, whose remains rest today under the high altar.[1] The bell tower was finished in 1544.[5] Further interventions were carried out in the 18th century with the transformation of the cathedral in Baroque style, and in the 19th century.[4] The facade was completed in 1925.[4]
Of the 11th century construction remains the Romanesque portal decorated with vine sheets and animals on the left side of the building.[4][2]
The facade, which is rather incongruously choked by the Campanaccio, the tower which is the only remain of the Trinci's castle, has stone decorations[4] and a central Oculus.
The bell tower has a little rear dome.[4]
In the sacristy are noteworthy the majolica floor and paintings of 17th century:[4] among them, Jesus Child sleeping and John the Baptist Child by Anonymous Roman sec. XVII; John the Baptist Child by anonymous Umbrian sec. XVII;[5] and a cross painted by an anonymous Umbrian of the XIII century, previously kept in the Church of S. Martino.[5]
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