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Modena Cathedral

Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption and Saint Geminianus
Cattedrale Metropolitana di Santa Maria Assunta e San Geminiano (Italian)
Modena-Ghirlandina.jpg
The Cathedral with the Ghirlandina
Basic information
Location Modena, Italy
Geographic coordinates 44°38′46.5″N 10°55′32.4″E / 44.646250°N 10.925667°E / 44.646250; 10.925667Coordinates: 44°38′46.5″N 10°55′32.4″E / 44.646250°N 10.925667°E / 44.646250; 10.925667
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
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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