Piacenza Cathedral

Piacenza Cathedral, locally known as Duomo di Piacenza, stands as an architectural marvel and a testament to the rich history and cultural heritage of Piacenza, Italy. This magnificent cathedral, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta and Santa Giustina, is the mother church of the Diocese of Piacenza-Bobbio and holds the dignity of a minor basilica. From its origins in the 12th century to its stunning Romanesque and Gothic features, the Piacenza Cathedral is a must-visit for any traveler keen on history, art, and architecture.

The History of Piacenza Cathedral

The history of Piacenza Cathedral is as fascinating as its architecture. The site originally housed the Basilica of Sant'Antonino, situated outside the city's walls. In the mid-8th century, the Church of San Giovanni Evangelista was constructed in what would later become Piazza Duomo. This church played a significant role alongside the cathedral, sometimes even replacing it, such as during the burial of various Piacentine bishops. However, it was shortened following the construction of the new cathedral and eventually demolished in 1544 to expand the piazza.

The construction of the current Piacenza Cathedral began in 1122, under the guidance of Bishop de' Gabrielli, following the destruction of the previous cathedral dedicated to Santa Giustina by an earthquake in 1117. The building process is believed to have occurred in two or three phases. The first phase, from 1122 to around 1150 or 1160, saw the construction of the apsidal and presbyterial areas, the transept, the first two bays of the southern nave, the lower part of the facade, and the northern side of the building, including part of the tower. The second phase, from 1202 to 1235 or 1207 to 1250, completed the construction.

In an alternate hypothesis, the construction involved three phases, with the first building, featuring transepts, built between the late 11th and early 12th centuries. This structure was restored between 1120 and 1130 after the earthquake, and Gothic architectural elements were added in the early 13th century. The cathedral was consecrated by Pope Innocent II in 1132, and in 1250, Pope Innocent IV granted indulgences to those who contributed to its completion.

The bell tower was completed in 1333, and in 1341, a gilded copper statue of an angel, known as Angil dal Dom, created by Piacentine artist Pietro Vago, was placed on its summit. In 1495, a cage was added to the tower to serve as a deterrent for criminals.

Exploring Piacenza Cathedral

Visitors to Piacenza Cathedral are greeted by a stunning facade that exemplifies Romanesque architecture. The main facade, divided vertically into two parts, features pink Verona marble on the lower section and sandstone on the upper section, topped with a corridor of loggias. The facade is horizontally divided by two galleries with arches and columns, and three Romanesque portals with loggias and carvings adorn the entrance. The central portal is particularly striking, with its columns supported by stylophoric lions.

The left portal, known as the Porta del Paradiso (Gate of Paradise), is adorned with scenes from the infancy of Christ, including the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, the Announcement to the Shepherds, and the Visit of the Magi. The right portal continues the depiction of Christ's life with the Presentation at the Temple, the Flight into Egypt, the Baptism, and the Temptations. Above the central portal, a rose window and a cross further enhance the facade's beauty.

The bell tower, standing at 72.5 meters, features a square base and was constructed in the early 14th century. The belfry, with its marble columns and arches, houses a cage used for exposing malefactors. At the tower's peak, the Angil dal Dom statue gleams in the sunlight.

The Interior of Piacenza Cathedral

Step inside Piacenza Cathedral to discover a basilica layout with a Latin cross plan, consisting of three naves and three bays. The naves are separated by twenty-five massive cylindrical pillars, leading to semicircular apses. The transept, not perpendicular to the nave, is also divided into three naves. At the intersection of the nave and transept, an octagonal lantern houses the dome, adorned with 17th-century frescoes of prophets by Guercino and Morazzone.

Several pillars were sponsored by guilds or individual citizens, with seven pillars featuring plaques depicting the guild's activities and names in Latin, such as Haec est columna furnariorum (This is the column of the bakers). Some plaques also include the names of the citizens who funded the construction, like Hugo Tinctor and Magister Johannes.

Among the oldest paintings in the cathedral are a 13th-century depiction of Saint Christopher with Saint George and Saint Antoninus in the left transept and a Madonna and Child with Saints John the Evangelist and John the Baptist on the second right pillar of the central nave. The 14th-century frescoes include a lunette above the lower sacristy entrance and a blessing Jesus between two saints, discovered and completed by Bernardino Pollinari in 1873.

The dome's pendentives, painted by Marcantonio Franceschini in the late 17th century, were removed during early 20th-century restorations, with only The Dream of Saint Joseph remaining in the transept. Franceschini, along with Giacomo Antonio Boni and Luca Antonio Bistega, also created a cycle of paintings for the Chapel of the Madonna del Popolo, with the Immaculate Conception and the Eternal Father in the vault and allegories in the spandrels.

In the left nave, visitors can admire the Stories of Saint Conrad Confalonieri, painted by Giambattista Galeani in the early 17th century, and the Doctors of the Church and Evangelists in the left transept, attributed to Piacentine painter Giulio Mazzoni. Other notable works include the Mystical Marriage of Saint Catherine and Blessed Paolo Burali by Flemish artist Robert De Longe in the late 17th century, Saints Bishops of Piacenza by Gaetano Callani in the late 18th century, and Ludovico Carracci's 1614 painting Saint Martin Donates His Cloak to a Poor Man on the counter-facade.

Piacenza Cathedral is not just a place of worship; it is a treasure trove of history, art, and architectural splendor. Its walls and halls tell the story of a city's resilience and devotion, making it an unmissable destination for anyone visiting Piacenza.