Cathedral of Modena
| Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption and Saint Geminianus Cattedrale Metropolitana di Santa Maria Assunta e San Geminiano (Italian) |
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The Cathedral with the Ghirlandina
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| Basic information | |
| Location | Modena, Italy |
| Geographic coordinates | 44°38′46.5″N 10°55′32.4″E / 44.646250°N 10.925667°ECoordinates: 44°38′46.5″N 10°55′32.4″E / 44.646250°N 10.925667°E |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Rite | Roman |
| Province | Archdiocese of Modena-Nonantola |
| Country | Italy |
| Year consecrated | 1184 |
| Leadership | Archbishop Erio Castellucci, Emeritus Bishop Benito Cocchi |
| Architectural description | |
| Architect(s) | Lanfranco, Anselmo da Campione |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| Groundbreaking | 1099 |
| Completed | 1319 |
| Official name: Cathedral, Torre Civica and Piazza Grande, Modena | |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | i, ii, iii, vi |
| Designated | 1997 (21st session) |
| Reference no. | 827 |
| State Party |
 Italy
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| Region | Europe and North America |
Modena Cathedral (Italian: Cattedrale Metropolitana di Santa Maria Assunta e San Geminiano but colloquially known as simply Duomo di Modena) is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Modena, Italy, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and Saint Geminianus. Formerly the seat of the Diocese, later Archdiocese, of Modena, it has been since 1986 the archiepiscopal seat of the Archdiocese of Modena-Nonantola. Consecrated in 1184, it is an important Romanesque building in Europe and a World Heritage Site.
Since the 5th century, two churches had existed on the site of the present cathedral: the discovery of the burial site of Saint Geminianus, Modena's patron saint, led to the destruction of those churches and building of this cathedral by 1099. The initial design and direction was provided by an architect known as Lanfranco, little else is known about this architect. The Saint's remains are still exhibited in the cathedral's crypt. The present cathedral was consecrated by Pope Lucius III on July 12, 1184.
After Lanfranco's work, the Cathedral was embellished by Anselmo da Campione and his heirs, the so-called "Campionese-masters". The current façade therefore exhibits different styles. The majestic rose-window was added by Anselmo in the 13th century, while the two lions supporting the entrance's columns are of Roman age, probably discovered while digging the foundations.
The façade has also notable reliefs by Wiligelmus, a contemporary of Lanfranco's; these include portraits of prophets and patriarchs, and most of all the Biblical Stories, a masterpiece of Romanesque sculpture. The scholars have pointed out the splendid achievements in the creation of Adam and Eve, the original sin and the story of Noah.
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