The Cathedral of San Maurizio stands in the historic center of Porto Maurizio, at the foot of Mount Parasio. Its majestic structure is easily recognizable from the sea and the surrounding hills thanks to its two white and yellow bell towers and large dome.

Construction began in 1781 based on a design by architect Gaetano Cantoni and was completed in 1838. The building, characterised by monumental and harmonious neoclassical forms, houses an artistic heritage of great value.

In 1781 the community of Porto Maurizio decided to build a large temple, an expression of the economic prosperity achieved by the town in the eighteenth century thanks to its merchants, bankers and entrepreneurs.

The construction was also part of the historic rivalry with nearby Oneglia, where the Basilica of San Giovanni Battista had been built.

When the work on the new cathedral was completed in 1838 , the old medieval parish church of Parasio, now considered too small, was demolished.

Inside the Basilica, the inlaid marble floors reflect the light coming from the large coffered dome and the numerous colored windows.

The whiteness of the marble and plaster is enriched by the works of important artists, including Viazzi, Massabò, Coghetti, Piola, De Ferrari, and Finelli . Finelli himself created the statue dedicated to Saint Maurice , whose elegance recalls the great tradition of neoclassical sculpture.

Guided tours, organized by the Sottotina Committee , are organized periodically by reservation and are dedicated to the artistic treasures of the Basilica. Some tours also include a climb to the dome , which offers a spectacular 360° panorama of the city, the gulf, and the surrounding countryside.

According to tradition, in 1743, Saint Leonard , the patron saint of Imperia, during a homily precisely indicated the site where the future Church of San Maurizio was to be built. A bronze statue of Saint Leonard stands today at the spot where the Saint is said to have delivered the oration. His remains rest inside the Cathedral.