* Name UNESCO
** UNESCO Geographical Classification change

The Cathedral of Modena is the first church in the city and the archdiocese of Modena-Nonantola (it) in Emilia-Romagna.

It represents an exceptional testimony to the cultural tradition of Italy to the northern XII ^century and the ^thirteenth century. The Duomo of Modena, the Ghirlandina and Piazza Grande are on the list of World Heritage of Humanity established by UNESCO in 1997.

Summary 1 History 2 The successive interventions 3 Architecture 3.1 Interior 3.2 Exterior 4 The sculpture collection 4.1 Wiligelmo 4.2 The workshop Wiligelmo 5 External Links 6 Sources

History

Built on the site of the previous cathedral built in 1070 , is dedicated to San Geminiano ( 349 ) bishop of Modena and patron saint of the city including the translation of the relics in the crypt is carried out in 1106. The first stone was laid on 9 May 1099 with the support of Matilda of Canossa , one of the most powerful women in the ^twelfth century in northern Italy.

The first phase of construction was entrusted jointly to the architect Lanfranco (it) and the sculptor Wiligelmo. In the computation of modules of the plan, Lanfranco inspired geometric relationships advocated by Vitruvius while Wiligelmo illustrated on the front where he developed a rich iconography with biblical themes. By the late ^twelfth and early ^thirteenth century maestri Campionesi intervene on side gates, the Porta Regia and on the escutcheon of the facade from the inside, the great rood screen - erected to mark the consecration of the cathedral by Pope Lucius III in 1184 - remains the most comprehensive evidence of the work of sculptors of Campione.

The successive operations

Significant performed in XIV ^century , between 1437 and 1455 , when ceilings vaults are to replace the original cover made of wooden beams. In the eighteenth ^century , the central apse of the crypt is restructured, then 1913 , the rehabilitation of the pavement and inside the large loft that had been modified in the ^seventeenth century. In 1936 , are reconstructed pinnacles who wore the pilasters of the facade fell during the earthquake in 1797. In 1955 , the crypt decorated Baroque regains its original appearance.

Architecture

Interior

Exterior

The collection of sculptures

After a period of political tensions, heightened social and religious at the time of the investiture controversy , the program sculptural Wiligelmo trying to multiply the messages of healing and marks the return of the clergy and Modena in the history of Roman church.

Wiligelmo

Workshop Wiligelmo

External Links

Sources

• Unesco document.
• (It) This article is partially or entirely from the article in Italian entitled " Duomo di Modena "(see the list of authors )