The church of Santa Maria Assunta, is located right in the center of Positano, in the small Flavio Gioia square. With its decorative, colourful, dome of Vietri maiolica (tiles), the church is a typical example of the architecture found in this beautiful area.

The church is divided into three "navate" which are decorated with stucco, and gold ornamentation. Inside the church there is a collection of important works of art, like the "Circoncisione" by Fabrizio Santafede (from the end of '600), and the famous Bizantine wooden panel, depicting the Virgin Mary and Her Child. The town's name Positano (which means "put it there" in latin), derives from the story of this panel.

The ancient legend tells that the icon was stolen by the Saraceni (pirates of the time), but when the pirates tried to leave Positano's shores with the panel, a terrible sea storm suddenly arose, and prevented their passage. During the storm, the pirates heard a cry from heaven saying: "posa, posa" (put it back). The fearful pirates set the decorated panel back on Positano's shores, and miraculously, the storm ceased giving them the opportunity to flee the Coast.