Parma Cathedral

Facade of the Duomo and bell tower

The Duomo of Parma under the patronage of Santa Maria Assunta ( Assumption into heaven ) is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Parma.

History

An early Christian church, probably built over a pre-Christian sanctuary was located since the 4th or 5th century on the site of the present cathedral square. From 860 nearby St. Mary's Church, which became the cathedral was built. After its destruction by fire in 1074 started in several stages, the establishment of today's cathedral. The bell tower was built 1284-1294 in the Gothic style.

Architecture and Facilities

The cathedral is a three-aisled basilica on cross floor plan. It shows up on the Gothic bell tower, mostly Romanesque forms. Noteworthy is the three-storey portal facade with two horizontal and one gable arcade. The three portals are all reflected in the three ships of the interior.

Dome

Over the crossing is a crossing tower octagonal, which is surmounted by a dome. It is the inside painted with a groundbreaking fresco of Mary's Assumption into heaven by Antonio da Correggio; its representation uses the technique of Melozzo da Forli acquired the foreshortening so effective that it is considered a model for later works of the Baroque.

Organs

The history of the organs of the Cathedral can be traced on the basis of certificates in 1480. Today there are three organs in the Cathedral: The main organ to the wall of the nave, a choir organ, and a small instrument in the crypt. The main organ dates back to an instrument that was built by the organ builder brothers Serassi 1786 in the then- existing organ case dating from the 16th century new. In 1999, the organ builder Mascioni was entrusted with the reconstruction of this instrument, including reuse of the remaining material and pipes of the organ case. 1942, the organ was dismantled. The instrument has 37 stops on two manuals and pedal. The tracker action are mechanically ..

Baptistery

The Baptistery southwest of the cathedral is one of the best of its kind, the towering, well-indented octagon was built in 1196-1216 and then painted inside with Old and New Testament scenes.