Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle - Faenza (RA) - Emilia Romagna
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Important Renaissance monument in Emilia-Romagna, characterized by an unfinished façade and an interior with three naves and eight chapels on each side... #tuttitaly
Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle - Faenza (RA) - Emilia Romagna
The Cathedral of Saint Peter the Apostle, known as the Duomo of Faenza, majestically rises in the central Piazza della Libertà, offering a spectacular view thanks to its elevated position. Dedicated to Saint Peter, this cathedral was built between 1474 and 1520, on a pre-existing structure, of which only some stone elements reused in the sides remain. The construction is the result of the work of the Florentine architect Giuliano da Maiano, a master of the Renaissance who skillfully combined Florentine taste with influences from Paduan Romanesque architecture.
Architecture and History
The construction site of the Cathedral experienced moments of complexity and prolonged delays, leading to a grand yet unfortunately unfinished façade. Made of warm, rough terracotta, it features a part clad in white limestone, added later after the original project was abandoned by Giuliano. Although the spatial conception remains consistent with the master's work, architectural variants emerge, while some side openings have been closed, limiting natural light and altering the internal atmosphere.
A Treasure of Art
The Cathedral of Saint Peter is not only a place of worship but also an important center of Renaissance art. The side chapels are adorned with works of great artistic value. Among the sculptural monuments that deserve special attention are the tombs of Saint Savino, Saint Emiliano, and Saint Terenzio, created by Benedetto da Maiano and anonymous Tuscan artists. Not to be missed is the touching wooden crucifix, created by an anonymous Northern sculptor in the late 15th century, and the Pala Bonaccorsi, a valuable 16th-century panel by Innocenzo Francucci da Imola, still visible in its original frame.
The San Pier Damiano Section
Finally, the chapel housing the burial of Saint Pier Damiano, theologian and Doctor of the Church, who Dante Alighieri placed in the seventh canto of Paradise, cannot be overlooked. The Cathedral of Saint Peter the Apostle is not merely a place of prayer but a true journey through history and art, to be experienced with scrupulous attention and respect.
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Cathedral of St Peter the Apostle - Faenza (RA) - Emilia Romagna
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