Ferrara Cathedral
Ferrara Cathedral ( Basilica Cattedrale di San Giorgio) is a Roman Catholic church in the northern Italian city of Ferrara. She is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Ferrara - Comacchio and the largest religious structure in the city. It is dedicated to St. George, who is also the patron saint of Ferrara at the same time.
The cathedral is located in the city center close to the Palazzo Comunale, so the town hall. Even the famous Castello Estense is not far away. The cathedral is connected by a covered walkway to the Archbishop's Palace. The Romanesque- Gothic cathedral was recognized as part of the historic center of Ferrara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Art and History
The construction of the cathedral was begun in the 12th century, when the city expanded on the left side of the Po River and the center of the city shifted northward. The former cathedral, which was also already dedicated to St. George is, today as a parish church on the right bank of the river outside the city walls. The new cathedral was consecrated in 1135, which demonstrates an inscription in the atrium of the church.
The cathedral was originally designed and begun in the Romanesque style, but following various extensions and alterations features from different eras on. The magnificent front facade of white marble with the three peaks, the arcades and small rosettes, the statues and numerous reliefs clearly shows the Romanesque style and has similar loggias as the facades of the Cathedral of Modena and the Cathedral of Parma. The entrance portal with the wonderful reliefs, created by the architect Nicholos, has been preserved from the early days.
In the center of the facade is a balcony as vorgebaut a porch, which is supported by two pillars, which are placed at the base of two lions. In the upper part of the vestibule, the Last Judgement is presented which is derived from an unknown master. In an underlying Loggia is a ' Madonna and Child ' in the Gothic style, which was added later. The bezel directly above the lintel of the entrance door depicts St. George slaying the dragon. Appear scenes from the life of Christ on the lintel. The posts of the entrance are decorated with figures depicting the Annunciation and four prophets who predict the coming of Christ.
The portal comes as possibly also other parts of the building, according to a now destroyed inscription by the sculptor Nicholas. The two lateral portals on the west façade are also attributed to him, also another great portal, which stood on the south side, but during the restoration in the 18th century was demolished. Several sculptures that decorated this gate and have been preserved, are exhibited in the museum of the cathedral.
On the south side also is the Campanile of white and pink marble, built 1451-1493 in Renaissance style, but not completed. The design for the bell tower is attributed to Leon Battista Alberti.
Is the so-called Loggia dei Merciai in which were the shops of dealers in the Middle Ages on the west side of the cathedral. About this loggia there are two rows of arches resting on small columns. The outer walls of the apse with the brick arches and Marmorkapitellen are the work of the architect and urban planner Biagio Rossetti from Ferrara.
Organ
The Cathedral organ has 37 stops on three manuals and pedal. The tracker action are mechanical.
- Couplers: II / I, III / I, I / P, II / P III / P