In the center of Sessano del Molise stands the Church of Saint Mary of the Assumption, a notable example of Molise’s religious architecture, featuring a Greek-cross floor plan and distinct Baroque elements. Built with irregular stone masonry and plastered façades, the church is defined by its central dome, resting on an octagonal drum, which creates a luminous and elevated interior space.
The façade, simple yet imposing, is adorned with a Baroque portal that leads into a sacred, introspective environment. Unfortunately, safety works carried out after the 1984 earthquake altered the church’s original appearance by removing the colorful frescoes of the Four Evangelists from the dome and the vivid painted columns, thus diminishing part of its historical charm.
Nevertheless, key devotional elements remain intact. Behind the main altar, the original fresco of the Assumption has been replaced by a modern painting by renowned Molisan artist Amedeo Trivisonno, created in the 1980s. This artwork restores the altar’s visual centrality and provides a contemporary interpretation of a sacred subject.
One of the side altars houses the relics of Saint Donatus, the town’s patron saint, celebrated each year on August 7 with heartfelt devotion. His preserved remains are the focus of spiritual life in the community, and the church serves as the main gathering place for religious celebrations and personal reflection.
Today, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta stands as a resilient symbol of faith and identity, a sacred space that continues to unite the people of Sessano despite time and adversity.