The church S. Maria Maggiore della Pietrasanta is a majestic building with a central plan, built on the ruins of a pre-existing early Christian basilica. It takes its name from the stone with the engraved cross, object of great popular veneration, which was kept there until a few years ago. The Basilica of S. Maria Maggiore in Pietrasanta contains thousands of years of Neapolitan history. Built on the remains of the Greek temple of Diana, it was transformed into a Christian basilica by Pomponio in 525 and designed to be the first sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The site, rebuilt in 1656 by Fanzago, contains the remains of the evolution of Naples: the bell tower, the small temple of Pontano, and the one dedicated to the Saviour, tell the story of this Neapolitan unicum together with the basilica.
