Viterbo Cathedral

Called The Cathedral of San Lorenzo (San Lorenzo Martire ), also called cathedral (Duomo ), the episcopal church of the diocese of Viterbo in the Italian region Lazio and most important church building in the city of Viterbo. It is dedicated to the martyr and patron saint Lawrence of Rome.

Architectural History

The church was probably built in the 12th century over the ruins of an ancient temple of Hercules by Lombard artists. 1181 consecrated Pope Alexander III. as the main church of the city, before the bishop's church was in 1192. In the same year the transept was added. The bell tower dates from the 13th century. Cardinal Gianfrancesco Gambara let the facade 1560 - attach 1570. 1793, the vestry was built. After being destroyed in the Second World War, the interior has been restored reromanisiert.

During the time in the residence of the Popes in Viterbo in the 13th century, the cathedral was the center of the Catholic Church. During this time, here are seven popes were enthroned.

Appearance

Together with the Palace of the Popes determined the church building: the cities of Viterbo. The Romanesque bell tower with four floors and two-color stone facade reminiscent of the Duomo of Siena. The cathedral square corresponds to the Etruscan acropolis of Viterbo.

Affairs

The three-nave basilica was built on the model of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome. The main impression is of the 12th century. The three ships end in semicircular apses. The arcades of the nave, resting on 20 monolithic columns with original Figurenkapitellen.

In the left apse is the tomb of Pope John XXI .. In the second chapel on the right side is the tomb of Letitia Bonaparte, niece of Napoleon Bonaparte.

The grave of Alexander IV, which was located in the Cathedral, has disappeared.

Organ

On the two galleries in the transept is the organ. The instrument was built in 1965 by the organ builder Zenoni (Pescara ) and restored in 2005 by the organ builder Maggiora ( Milan ) and extended. It has 36 registers on three manuals and pedal. The play and Registertrakturen are electric.