The vow made to the Madonna is to carry her in procession every 50 years... #tuttitaly
The Co-Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, located in the heart of the historic center of Pontremoli, represents a place of worship of great importance for the local community. Its construction began as a community vow to implore the intercession of the Madonna during the plague epidemic that struck the city in the first half of the 17th century.
Construction work began in 1636 and took fifty years to complete. Numerous completion interventions were carried out during this period, which continued until the 19th century. Finally, in 1881, the facade of the church was completed.
Description
The Cathedral of Pontremoli is a building of great historical and artistic importance. Its Latin cross-shaped plan and the baroque style of the interiors make it a fascinating and evocative place.
The stuccos that decorate the apse and the central nave are particularly valuable and date back to the second half of the eighteenth century. On the vault are two frescoes by Francesco Natali, which depict the "Glory of Santa Rosa da Lima" and the "Glory of San Geminiano," the patron saint of Pontremoli.
In the center of the apse is a splendid niche, inside which there is a wooden statue of the Madonna and Child. This work dates back to the 13th century and was initially present in the Santa Maria di Piazza church, which was demolished to make room for the Duomo. This statue, known as "Madonna del Popolo," has been the subject of numerous votes and, for the occasion, is dressed in new clothes similar to those of the Madonna of Loreto, taking on the appearance of a standing statue.
The Cathedral of Pontremoli was the cathedral of the Diocese of Pontremoli from 1787 to 1987 when it was incorporated into the new Diocese of Massa Carrara Pontremoli, which is now a co-cathedral. This testifies to the religious and cultural importance of the Cathedral over the centuries.
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