Termoli Cathedral
The Cathedral of Termoli or the Purification Cathedral ( Italian Basilica Cattedrale di S. Maria della Purificazione ) is a church in Termoli in the Italian Molise . The cathedral of the Diocese of Termoli-Larino bears the patronage of the Representation of the Lord and has the rank of minor basilica . The Romanesque church dates from the 13th century.
history
A first church is believed to be around the 6th century on the ruins of a temple consecrated to Kastor and Pollux . This is only documented in the 10th century. A cathedral was built as a bishopric in the 11th century, traces of which were discovered in the apses during restorations.
The current building was built between the 12th and 13th centuries in the Romanesque with transitions to the Gothic . The decline of the following centuries was exacerbated by the earthquake of 1456 and the invasion of the Turks in 1566; it was not until the 18th century that it was restored with a Baroque style . The choir was then lowered by Bishop Giannelli, with the relics of St. Basso and Timotheus , the patron saints of the city, were found and a new high altar was built. Begun in the 1930s under Bishop Bernacchia and completed in the late 1960s by Bishop Proni, the interior was "returned to its original appearance" by removing the baroque elements during a comprehensive restoration. A crypt was created under the re-elevated choir using reinforced concrete .
The cathedral was given in 1947 by Pope Pius XII. awarded the rank of minor basilica. The visit of Pope John Paul II in 1983 is recorded by bronze plaques by the sculptor Piero Maggioni on the facade.
description
The cathedral is centrally located in the old town of Termoli on a cape in the Adriatic Sea. The west facade of the cathedral measures 22 meters at its highest point. The lower, Romanesque part is lavishly decorated. The upper Gothic part has only the rose window and was restored after the Turkish invasion of 1566.
In the lower part there are seven blind arcades with double arched windows that differ from each other and are decorated with acanthus leaves and human figures, such as statues of Saints Basso, Sebastian and Timothy. The central arcade, which is larger than the others, has a portal surrounded by small columns. The inscription in one of the lunettes of the double window commemorates Stasio Grimaldi di Giovanni, who financially contributed to the construction of the cathedral.
The side of the building shows ornaments with blind arches with slender pilasters, a small door is inserted in the fifth arch. The bell tower was built later, perhaps in the 18th century, on older foundations.
The cathedral has a basilica floor plan, with three naves and three semicircular apses with pillars on round plinths. The nave is covered with wooden trusses, the ceiling of the two aisles has brick cross vaults . The chancel was adapted in 2002 to the altar from 1978 with a new ambo, candle holder and bishop's chair. Other important parts of the church furnishings are the medieval baptistery, the left side altars of Our Lady of the Rosary and the Savior , in the right apse the altar of St. Basso with grotto and the right side altar of St. Sebastian.
Web links
- Chiesa di Santa Maria della Purificazione on BeWeB (Italian)
Individual evidence
- ^ Basilica Cattedrale di S. Maria della Purificazione on gcatholic.org
- ↑ Cattedrale Santa Maria della Purificazione on molisecoast.com (Italian)
- ↑ Cattedrale di Santa Maria della Purificazione on the website of the diocese (Italian)
Coordinates: 42 ° 0 ′ 19.1 ″ N , 14 ° 59 ′ 49.6 ″ E