Lion Above the Central Capital on the Rear Gable, Pisa Cathedral, Italy

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The Cathedral of Pisa or Cattedrale Metropolitana Primaziale di Santa Maria Assunta or Duomo di Pisa is a medieval Roman Catholic cathedral dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, in the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa, Italy. It is a notable example of Romanesque architecture, in particular the style known as Pisan Romanesque. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Pisa. Construction on the cathedral began in 1063 by the architect Buscheto, and expenses were paid using the spoils received fighting against the Muslims in Sicily in 1063. It includes various stylistic elements: classical, Lombard-Emilian, Byzantine, and Islamic, drawing upon the international presence of Pisan merchants at that time. In the same year, St. Mark's Basilica began its reconstruction in Venice, evidence of a strong rivalry between the two maritime republics to see which could create the most beautiful and luxurious place of worship. The chosen site had already been used in the Lombard era as a necropolis and at the beginning of the 11th century a church had been erected here, but never finished, that was to be named Santa Maria. Buscheto's grand new church was initially called Santa Maria Maggiore until it was officially named Santa Maria Assunta. In 1092 the cathedral was declared a primatial church, archbishop Dagobert having been given the title of Primate by Pope Urban II. The cathedral was consecrated in 1118 by Pope Gelasius II, who belonged to the Caetani family which was powerful both in Pisa and in Rome. In the early 12th century, the cathedral was enlarged under the direction of architect Rainaldo, who increased the length of the nave by adding three bays consistent with the original style of Buscheto, enlarged the transept, and planned a new façade which was completed by workers under the direction of the sculptors Guglielmo and Biduino. The exact date of the work is unclear: according to some, the work was done right after the death of Buscheto about the year 1100, though others say it was done closer to 1140. In any case, work was finished in 1180, as documented by the date written on the bronze knockers made by Bonanno Pisano found on the main door. The structure's present appearance is the result of numerous restoration campaigns that were carried out in different eras. The first radical interventions occurred after the fire of 1595, following which the roof was replaced and sculptors from the workshop of Giambologna, among whom were Gasparo Mola and Pietro Tacca, created the three bronze doors of the façade. In the early 18th century began the redecoration of the inside walls of the cathedral with large paintings, the "quadroni", depicting stories of the blesseds and saints of Pisa. These works were made by the principal artists of the era, and a group of citizens arranged for the special financing of the project. Successive interventions occurred in the 19th century and included both internal and external modifications; among the latter was the removal of the original façade statues (presently in the cathedral museum) and their replacement with copies. Other notable interventions include: the dismantling of Giovanni Pisano's pulpit between 1599 and 1601 that only in 1926 was reassembled and returned to the cathedral (with some original pieces missing, including the staircase); and the dismantling of the monument to Henry VII made by Lupo di Francesco that was found in front of the door of San Ranieri and later substituted at the church by a simpler, symbolic version.
Additional information may be obtained at Wikipedia.

Taken in: Italia / Toscana / Pisa (show map)

Taken on: September 17, 2018

Tags:

Lion

Central Capital

Pisa Cathedral

Cattedrale Metropolitana Primaziale di Santa Maria Assunta

Cattedrale di Pisa

Duomo di Pisa

Medieval

Roman Catholic Cathedral

Cathedral

Piazza dei Miracoli

Square of Miracles

Campo dei Miracoli

Field of Miracles

Piazza del Duomo

Cathedral Square

Romanesque

Pisan Romanesque

Buscheto

Pope Gelasius II

Rainaldo

Guglielmo

Biduino

Biduinus

Bonanno Pisano

Pisano, Bonanno

Pisano

Giambologna

Jean de Boulogne

Gasparo Mola

Mola, Gasparo

Pietro Tacca

Tacca, Pietro

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Torre Pendente di Pisa

Leaning Tower

Torre Pendente

Tower of Pisa

Torre di Pisa

Campanile

Bell Tower

Diotisalvi

Pisa

Italy

Paul Fernandez « less

Sets appears in: • 2018 - Florence, Pisa, & Lucca, Italy • Sculpture

Camera: Nikon D800, f/8.0, 1/800 sec, 500mm (=750mm), ISO 400 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D800
Lens:	200.0-500.0 mm f/5.6
Aperture:	f/8.0
Exposure Time:	0.001 sec (1/800)
Focal Length:	500mm (35mm equivalent: 750mm)
ISO:	400
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Spot
White Balance:	Auto
Gain Control:	Low gain up
Saturation:	High
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Adobe Photoshop CS6 (Windows)
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