Lodi Cathedral

Coordinates: 45°18′51.69″N 9°30′11.12″E / 45.3143583°N 9.5030889°E / 45.3143583; 9.5030889

The church facing Piazza della Vittoria ("Victory Square").

View of the nave.

15th century fresco of the Universal Judgement.

The Cathedral of Lodi (also known as Basilica Cattedrale della Vergine Assunta) is a church in Lodi, Lombardy, Italy. It is one of the largest churches in northern Italy.

History

The church was founded on 3 August 1158, the day in which Lodi was refounded after its destruction by the Milanese troops in 1111. the first phase of construction, for which, most likely, materials from the old Laus Pompeia (in what is now Lodi Vecchio) were used, ended in 1163. The crypt was inaugurated with the translation of St. Bassianus's relics on 4 November 1163, at the presence of emperor Frederick I Barbarossa.

The second phase was carried on from 1170 to 1180, although the façade was completed only in 1284. Later, 18th century restorations altered the edifice's appearance, which was however brought back to the original one in 1958–1965.

Overview

Façade

The façade, in brickwork, is asymmetrical and is in a typical Romanesque style; an exception is the large Gothic entrance portico supported by small columns with lion sculptures at the base. Other features include the large central rose window and two Renaissance double mullioned windows, similar to those designed by Giovanni Antonio Amadeo's school for the Certosa di Pavia. Also present is a niche housing the bronze statue of St. Bassianus, a copy of the original one in gilted copper, dating to 1284 (now in the interior). The massive bell tower, built in 1538–1554 under design by Callisto Piazza, remained unfinished for military reasons.

Interior

The interior has a nave and two aisles, all cross vaulted, separated by cylindrical pilasters in brickwork. Artworks include a polyptych by Callisto Piazza depicting the Massacre of the Innocents, another polyptych by Alberto Piazza with Virgin Assumpted and a 15th century Universal Judgement. Finally, the large apse is decorated by a mosaic executed by Aligi Sassu.

Between the church and the annexed Bishop's Palace (Palazzo Vescovile), is a court including what remains of the 1484 cloister, designed by Givoanni Battagio and featuring brickwork columns and decorations. The complex also houses a Diocesan Museum of Holy Art.

Crypt

The crpyt, whose entrance features a 12th century bas-relief, is the oldest section of the cathedral. Originally the pavement was 65 cm higher and the vaults were supported by brickwork pilasters. In its center is the altar (1856), which houses the remains of St. Bassianus in a silver case; the latter saw the work of modern artists such as Giosuè Argenti and Tilio Nani. On the left of the high altar is the altar of St. Alberto Quadrelli, bishop of Lodi from 1168 to 1173.

In the left aisle is a 15th century sculpture group portraying a Dead Christ.

Sources

• Bottini, Vittorio; Alessandro Caretta and Luigi Samarati (1979). Lodi - Guida artistica illustrata. Lodi: Edizioni Lodigraf.