Tačno vrijeme izgradnje crkve Santa Maria in Castio nije poznato. Međutim, na osnovu njenog arhitektonskog oblika i opštih graditeljskih karakteristika, datira se u period XII – XIV vijeka. Ovaj period vezuje se za vladavinu despota Đurđa Brankovića, a potom i dinastije Balšića, poznatih po ktitorskim poduhvatima na teritoriji današnje crnogorske obale. Santa Maria in Castio je zasigurno mogla imati izuzetan značaj s obzirom na to da je smještena unutar Kastela, najvažnijeg i najistaknutijeg uzvišenja unutar Starog grada Budve. Crkva je najvjerovatnije stradala u zemljotresu 1667, kada je i čitav Stari grad bio razoren. Nakon velikog oštećenja, crkva nije obnavljana i njen prvobitni izgled nije u potpunosti poznat. Tokom okupacije Austrije, od 1797. do 1918. ostaci crkve Santa Maria in Castio uklapani su u sistem građenja novih utilitarnih prostora. Danas se mogu vidjeti originalni dijelovi južnog zida ove srednjovjekovne crkve sa ostacima fresko maltera, kao i rekonstruisani dijelovi južnog i zapadnog zida.
Church Santa Maria in Castio, 12th – 14th century
The exact construction time of Santa Maria in Castio is unknown. However, due to its architectural form and general construction characteristics, it is dated in time between the 12th and 14th centuries. This period is associated with the reign of Despot Đurađ Branković and the Balšić dynasty – known for their founding endeavours on the territory of the Montenegrin coast. Santa Maria in Castio could have certainly been of exceptional importance given that it is located within the Castelo – the most important and prominent elevation within the Old Town of Budva. Most likely, the church perished in the 1667 earthquake, when the entire Old Town was destroyed. After extensive damage, the church was not restored and its original appearance is not fully known. During the Austrian occupation, from 1797 to 1918, the remains of the church were incorporated into utilitarian architectural spaces. Today, the original parts of the southern wall with the remains of fresco paintings as well as the reconstructed parts of the southern and western walls can be seen
