Co-Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul - Sovana, a hamlet of Sorano (GR) - One of the most beautiful villages in Italy - Tuscany
- Tuttitaly
- Jul 27
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 2
Sovana is known for being one of the first cities to have become Christian in all of Tuscany, thanks to the work of the evangelist San Mamiliano in the 4th century. Furthermore, the story of the saint is accompanied by a legend that speaks of a treasure, later transformed into a famous novel: the Count of Montecristo... #tuttitaly
Located in the charming village of Sovana, the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul is an impressive testimony of Tuscan Romanesque-Gothic architecture, whose foundations date back to the 8th and 9th centuries.
The main entrance of the Cathedral is located on the left side, a choice determined by the construction of the episcopal building attached to the facade in the 14th century. The portal, adorned with rich sculptures, features a variety of symbols, including an armed knight, a two-tailed mermaid, and plant motifs that narrate mythological and religious stories. Among the details to observe inside, the capitals of the columns stand out, particularly the second-to-last of the second row on the left, which illustrates scenes from the Old Testament.
One particularly captivating element is the crypt with six columns and the urn containing the remains of Saint Mamiliano, a saint revered in local tradition. Here, you can admire the baptismal font from 1434, the 15th-century travertine sarcophagus, and frescoes that evoke symbols dating back to pre-Christian times.
A unique aspect of the Cathedral of Sovana: every year, on June 21st, the first morning ray of sunlight penetrates through the abside's single window, crossing the nave and projecting onto the opposite wall.
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