Assisi Cathedral

The Cathedral of San Rufino in Assisi is the Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Assisi - Nocera Umbra - Gualdo Cattaneo. She played an important role in the history of the Franciscan Order. In this church were Francis of Assisi ( 1182 ) and Clare of Assisi ( 1193 ), baptized the founder of the Order of the Franciscans and the Poor Clares, and many of its companions. As Clare Francis heard preach there in 1209, she was so moved that she felt her own vocation. Also, the legend occurred after the miracle that Francis is said to have prayed in the church while he was seen at the same time on a chariot of fire near the Church of Portiuncula few kilometers below Assisi ( according to the biography of Tommaso da Celano, Vita I, chapter. XVIII).

History

The church is built in the Romanesque style to honor the relics of the bishop Rufinus of Assisi, a martyr of the 3rd century, which were kept there. Construction began in 1140 according to plans by Giovanni da Gubbio. In 1228, Pope Gregory IX. consecrated the altar, when he was staying for the canonization of St. Francis in Assisi. Pope Innocent IV consecrated the entire Church then in 1253.

Facade

The facade from 1134, one of the richest in Umbria. The Umbrian architecture generally has a passionate love for the shapes in flat surfaces, and the Umbrian plastic for modeling in low relief. It avoids embarrassing to divide the surface too much plastic. The subdivision of a large facade in many individual fields is done in a very simple manner, namely by a possible flat -held rectangular framework - nothing more.

The lower zone of San Rufino accordingly shows a simple rectangular box placed. A decorated with monstrous animal figures cornice completes the lower zone, on which a continuous Säulchengalerie sitting. The three culminating in the middle wheel window embody a very common in the Umbrian architectural motif. The Fassadenbekrönung with a pointed blind arches not part of the original stock. She has been draufgesetzt later and has early Gothic character ( clear dividing line ).

The facade is made of stone from Mount Subasio.

• The mean rosette of the 12th century from three counties is, as usual, surrounded by the four symbols of the Evangelists, but not - as so often - square framed. Worn the rose is symbolic of three figures standing on monsters. At the edges of the rosette four animals (lion, bull, man and eagle winged ) are seen as symbols of the four evangelists.

• The portals are particularly richly decorated. The lower part consists of portals with mythical grasping at the base of the side portals. Above the central portal Christ between the sun and moon is shown enthroned. To his left sits the Madonna with the Child Jesus, St. Rufinus right can be seen. In addition, plants and flowers, swans and figures of saints are shown. The artistic design of this scene is relatively coarse advised why it is believed that this scene was not originally planned for this central office. Even the slightly sloping seat of Christ does not speak for careful planning. The bell tower was built in the 11th century. He stands behind the apse of the former chapel, which was built by Bishop Ugone 1029. The top of the tower dates from the 13th century. It can be seen on the tower a giant clock that displays the 24 hours, the hora italica ( Italian time), a period that ends with the sunset by 24 clock. The foundations of the tower stand on a Roman cistern.

Inside

1571 the previously Romanesque interior of the cathedral by the architect Gian Galeazzo Alessi from Perugia was totally renovated in the style of the Italian Renaissance. The nave is separated by massive columns of the two side aisles, an apse is also available.

At the entrance is to the right a font in which Francis and Clare and others had been baptized, in particular in 1838, the St. Gabriel of the Addolorata.

On the right is a side chapel in Baroque style ( begun in 1541 and enlarged in 1663 ) containing some of frescoes by Giacomo Giorgetti ( 1663 ). The nine wall paintings date from a 17th century painter Andrea Carloni.

The Chapel of Our Lady of Consolation was built in 1496 for a miracle. 1494 had to see the German terracotta figure of Our Lady of Sorrows Christ, which she held in her arms, crying real. The figure from the 15th century is stolen, since it is replaced by a copy.

The main altar from the 19th century is at the Renaissance choir over the bones of St. Rufinus. Both sides are sculptures of St. Francis and St. Clare of Giovanni Dupré. In the apse of the 22 - seater wooden choir by Giovanni di Piertacopo is there to see San Severino (1520 ). The statue of St. Rufinus of Lemoyne stands in the middle of the choir.

On display are paintings by Dono Doni such as Christ adored by Saints ( 1555) and the Crucifixion ( 1563).

Under the cathedral is a crypt with Roman sarcophagus from the 3rd century, where St. Rufinus rests.

The adjoining Cathedral Museum displays frescoes of the 13th century, relics and ancient illustrated manuscripts. Most famous is the triptych of the Madonna and Child with Saints by Nicolò Pupil ( 1470 ).

Organ

The organ in the choir, behind the bishop's seat and the main altar ( Umbertide) was in the period from 1848 to 1851 built by the organ builder Marteinelli. The purely mechanical instrument has 33 stops on three pipes divisions, focusing on two manuals ( size: C -f3 ): briefly play and pedal (C- g0 circumference).