Cosenza Cathedral (Duomo di Cosenza) description and photos - Italy: Cosenza (Topic)

Cosenza Cathedral (Duomo di Cosenza) description and photos - Italy: Cosenza. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Duomo di Cosenza.

Photo and Description

The Cathedral of Cosenza, named after Santa Maria Assunta, was built around the first half of the 11th century, although the exact date of its construction is unknown. The cathedral stands in the historic center of Cosenza in Piazza Duomo, next to Corso Telesio. In 1981, it received the status of the Temple of Madonna del Pilerio, and in 2011, it was included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.

The history of the cathedral is marked by numerous reconstructions and modifications. The first cathedral was built in the Romanesque style, but in June 1184 it was destroyed during a terrible earthquake and was rebuilt only in 1222, already according to the canons of Cistercian architecture. Then, in the 13th century, it was consecrated in the presence of the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire Frederick II. Interesting, that the architect responsible for the restoration of the cathedral was Luca Campano, who later became Archbishop of Cosenza. In 1748, Santa Maria Assunta underwent another reconstruction - then the cathedral acquired baroque features that hid its original forms. Unfortunately, in the course of that reconstruction, a number of artworks that adorned it disappeared from the church. In 1831, the facade of the cathedral was redesigned in the neo-Gothic style, and in 1886 the transept and the choir were also given a Gothic look.

Today in the cathedral, in the transept, you can see the grave of Isabella of Aragon, wife of the French king Philip III. The long side nave of the temple connects it with the Palazzo Archivescovile, the Archbishop's Palace, which houses Luca Giordano's painting The Immaculate Conception. There you can also admire the amazing beauty of the stave, donated by Emperor Frederick II in honor of the consecration of the cathedral - it was made in the imperial jewelry workshops in a mixed Muslim-Byzantine style.

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Topic: Cosenza Cathedral (Duomo di Cosenza) description and photos - Italy: Cosenza.