Italy-5
I have previously blogged about Italy as follows:
- 11-6-2019—Italy 1
- 11-13-2019—Italy 2
- 10-1-2020—Italy 3
- 10-8-2020—Italy 4
This blog covers seven ecclesiastic provinces in the administrative regions of Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, and parts of Liguria, Lombardy, and Piedmont, in northern Italy, as well as the nation of San Marino. The ecclesiastic provinces are: Bologna, Florence, Genoa, Modena-Nonantola, Pisa, Ravenna-Cervia, and Siena-Colle de Val d’Elsa-Montalcino.
In addition to the ecclesiastic provinces, there are two other territories in Tuscany that are immediately subject to the Pope.
- The Diocese of Lucca was established in the 1st Century and became an archdiocese in 1726.
- The Territorial Abbacy of Monte Oliveto Maggiore was established in 1899.
Province of Ravenna-Cervia
The province consists of the eastern portion of the Administrative Region of Emilia-Romagna and the nation of San Marino. The Diocese of Ravenna was established in the 1st Century and became a metropolitan archdiocese in the 5th Century. It acquired its current name in 1986.
The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ in Ravenna was built in the mid-18th Century in a Baroque style to replace a 5th Century cathedral. The entrance is flanked by two pink granite columns that came from the old cathedral. The blue-green elliptical dome is 155 feet high and is decorated with frescoes on the inside. The 10th Century brick bell tower is 115 feet tall.
The 6th Century ambo has 36 carved panels each depicting an animal and representing creation. A chapel is dedicated to the Madonna del Sudore, which is translated Virgin of Sweat. The main altar is made of green, black, and white marbles and behind the altar are paintings from the late 1700s to early 1800s depicting the Resurrection and significant events in the history of the Church in Ravenna. Pope John XXIII declared the Cathedral to be a minor basilica in 1960.
The Co-Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Cervia was built in a Baroque style between 1699 and 1702. The cathedral has five altars and six side chapels, as well as several paintings and sculptures.
The Province has four suffragan dioceses.
- The Diocese of Cesena-Sarsina was established as the Diocese of Cesena in the 1st Century and acquired its current name in 1986.
- The Diocese of Forli-Bertinoro was established as the Diocese of Forli in the 2nd Century and acquired its current name in 1986.
- The Diocese of Rimini was established in the 4th Century.
- The Diocese of San Marino-Montefeltro was established as the Diocese of Montefeltro in the 9th Century and acquired its current name in 1977. The Diocese includes the nation of San Marino, which has 33,000 people, of whom over 90 percent are Catholic. San Marino has been an independent nation since 301.
Province of Pisa
The province consists of the northwestern portion of the Administrative Region of Tuscany. The Diocese of Pisa was established in the 4th Century and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1092.
The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Pisa was built in the 11th Century and enlarged in the 12th Century. It is, of course, best known for its bell tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Although primarily Romanesque, the Cathedral also incorporates elements of Classical, Byzantine, and Islamic styles. A 1595 fire resulted in a major renovation.
The exterior consists of multicolored marble, mosaics, and several bronze objects, many of which were spoils of war. The bronze doors of the main façade were made in the 17th Century, but the St. Rainerius door in the south transept was made in 1180 and features 24 bronze relief sculptures of New Testament events. The elliptical dome was designed in a Moorish style.
The interior, in the form of a Latin cross, has walls of white and black marble. The 17th Century coffered ceiling is decorated in gold leaf. The ceiling is supported by granite Corinthian columns that were once in a mosque in Palermo. There are several frescoes and mosaics, some of which date before the 1595 fire. Giovanni Pisano’s 14th Century pulpit is considered an Italian Gothic masterpiece—it depicts scenes from the life of Christ. The Cathedral has many works of art including more than two dozen 16th and 17th Century paintings. In addition there is a lamp that may have inspired Galileo, a container that may have been used by Jesus at the Wedding Feast at Cana, and the tomb of Pope Gregory VIII.
The baptistery and bell tower are separate buildings. The Romanesque bell tower was built between 1173 and 1350 and started to lean in 1178.
The Province has four suffragan dioceses.
- The Diocese of Volterra was established in the 5th Century.
- The Diocese of Pescia was established as a territorial prelature in 1519 before becoming a diocese in 1727.
- The Diocese of Livorno was established in 1806.
- The Diocese of Massa Carrara-Pontremoli was established as the Territorial Abbacy of Massa Carrara in 1100 and this became a diocese in 1822. It acquired its current name in 1988.
Province of Genoa
The province consists of most of the Administrative Region of Liguria and parts of Piedmont and Lombardy. The Diocese of Genoa was established in the 3rd Century and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1133.
The black and white striped Cathedral of St. Lawrence in Genoa was primarily built in the Romanesque and Gothic styles between the 12th and 14th Centuries. Some Baroque features were added later. The façade was built in the 13th Century and the 200 foot bell tower and dome were added in the 16th Century. The Cathedral has several frescoes—some dating to the 14th Century. The Cathedral treasury contains a chalice which some believe to be the Holy Grail.
The Province has six suffragan dioceses.
- The Diocese of Tortona was established in the 2nd Century.
- The Diocese of La Spezia-Sarzana-Brugnato was established as the Diocese of Luni in 465 and acquired its current name in 1986.
- The Diocese of Albenga-Imperia was established as the Diocese of Albenga in the 5th Century and acquired its current name in 1973.
- The Diocese of Ventimiglia-San Remo was established as the Diocese of Ventimiglia in 670 and acquired its current name in 1975.
- The Diocese of Savona-Noli was established in 680 as the Diocese of Vado Ligure, became the Diocese of Savona in 992, and acquired its current name in 1986.
- The Diocese of Chiavari was established in 1892.
Province of Florence
The province consists of the northeastern portion of the Administrative Region of Tuscany. The Diocese of Florence was established in the 1st Century and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1419.
Construction of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Mary of the Flower in Florence began in 1296 and was largely completed by 1436. Covering 89,000 square feet, the Gothic Cathedral is one the world’s largest churches. The exterior is covered with white, green, and pink marble panels and has a Gothic Revival façade that was added in the 19th Century. The octagonal dome is the largest brick dome ever constructed. At 376 feet, it is the third tallest dome in the world and is not supported by buttresses. Above the main door is a 15th Century clock that is still in working order. The Cathedral’s 44 stained glass windows date to the 14th and 15th Centuries and were designed by Florentine artists, including Donatello. The Cathedral complex also includes a baptistery and a bell tower. The Cathedral contains several tombs including those of Giotto di Bondone, who contributed much to the design of the Cathedral; and two popes—Nicholas II and Stephen IX.
All pictures are from Wikipedia.
The Province has five suffragan dioceses.
- The Diocese of Fiesole was established in 1st Century.
- The Diocese of Arezzo-Cortona-Sansepolcro was established as the Diocese of Arezzo in the 3rd Century and acquired its current name in 1986 with the consolidation with two other dioceses.
- The Diocese of Pistoia was established in the 3rd Century.
- The Diocese of San Miniato was established in 1622.
- The Diocese of Prato was established in 1954.
Province of Siena-Colle di Val d’Elsa-Montalcino
The province consists of the southern portion of the Administrative Region of Tuscany. The Diocese of Siena was established in the 4th Century and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1459. It acquired its current name in 1986.
The Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary in Siena was built between 1215 and 1264 with a dome and a bell tower. The bell tower has six bells including one that was cast in 1149. The dome’s lantern was added later by Bernini. Both the interior and exterior are constructed with alternating stripes of white and greenish-black marble, with the addition of red marble on the façade. The main or west façade combines French Gothic, Tuscan Romanesque, and classical architectural styles and features numerous statues of biblical figures and other subjects. The façade is topped by three mosaics completed in 1878—the central one depicts the Coronation of the Virgin.
The floor of the interior consists of 56 marble panels depicting Biblical and religious themes. These panels were created during the 14th to 16th Centuries by about 40 different artists. The interior features 172 plaster busts of popes and 36 busts of various emperors. The stained glass window in the choir dates to 1288 and the one in the façade dates to 1549. The later depicts the Last Supper by Pastorini. The dome has 15th Century images and statues of patriarchs and prophets. The 13th Century pulpit has carved panels depicting the life of Christ. The Chapel of St. John the Baptist features a bronze statue of the Saint by Donatello and eight frescoes by Pinturicchio. Bernini designed the Chigi Chapel and he sculpted two of the four statues. In addition to the works of Donatello and Bernini, there are also four statues in the Cathedral by Michelangelo. The following website offers more information and pictures:
https://operaduomo.siena.it/en/sites/cathedral/.
The Co-Cathedral of the Holy Savior in Montalcino was built in a Neo-Classical style between 1818 and 1832. The church has several paintings by Italian artists—including two 16th Century works by Francesco Vanni.
The Co-Cathedral of Saints Martial and Albert in Colle di Val D’Elsa was mostly built during the 17th Century. It has eight side chapels and has one of the nails from the Crucifixion. The brick and sandstone Neo-Classical façade dates to the early 19th Century.
The Province has four suffragan dioceses.
- The Diocese of Massa Marittima-Piombino was established in the 5th Century.
- The Diocese of Pitigliano-Sovana-Orbetello was established as the Diocese of Sovana in 670 and acquired its current name in 1986.
- The Diocese of Grosseto was established in 1138.
- The Diocese of Montepulciano-Chiusi-Pienza was established as the Diocese of Montepulciano in 1561 and acquired its current name in 1986.
Province of Bologna
The province consists of the central portion of the Administrative Region of Emilia-Romagna. The Diocese of Bologna was established in the 3rd Century and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1582.
The Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Bologna was built primarily in the 17th and 18th Centuries to replace previous cathedrals on the same site. The Baroque interior features several works of art including a cedar crucifix. There is a 230-foot tall bell tower with four bells.
The Province has three suffragan dioceses.
- The Archdiocese of Ferrara-Comacchio was established as the Diocese of Voghenza in 431 and became the Diocese of Ferrara in 624. It became an archdiocese in 1735 and a metropolitan archdiocese in 1803 before being demoted to an archdiocese in 1976. It acquired its current name in 1986.
- The Diocese of Faenza-Modigliana was established as the Diocese of Faenza in the 3rd Century and acquired its current name in 1986.
- The Diocese of Imola was established in the 4th Century.
Province of Modena-Nonantola
The province consists of the western portion of the Administrative Region of Emilia-Romagna. The Diocese of Modena was created in the 3rd Century and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1855. It acquired its current name in 1986.
The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and St. Geminianus in Modena was built between 1099 and 1389 using stone and marble from Roman ruins. The Romanesque church has a bell tower. The façade has several reliefs featuring biblical stories as well as stories related to the legend of King Arthur. The 13th Century rood screen depicts scenes from the life of Christ. The cathedral has three pipe organs, the oldest of which dates to 1719. The cathedral was declared a minor basilica by Pope Pius IX in 1934. It was also the location of the funeral for Luciano Pavarotti, a Modena native.
The first picture is from UNESCO and the others from Wikipedia.
The Co-Cathedral Basilica of St. Sylvester, also known as Nonantola Abbey, has its origins as a Benedictine abbey founded in 752 by St. Anselm. The monastery eventually became one of the most powerful in Europe—St. Charles Borromeo was abbot for a few years during the 16th Century and the future Pope Julius II was abbot a few decades before. The current Romanesque structure was built in the 12th Century and has been restored over the centuries. The abbey declined over time and ceased being an abbey in 1986 when it became the Co-Cathedral of the Archdiocese. The church contains the remains of St. Sylvester and other saints. It has been considered a basilica for centuries.
The first two pictures are from Flickr, the third is from Pinterest, and the fourth from Wikipedia.
The Province has five suffragan dioceses.
- The Diocese of Reggio Emilia-Guastalla was established as the Diocese of Reggio Emilia in the 1st Century and acquired its current name in 1986.
- The Diocese of Piacenza-Bobbio was established as the Diocese of Piacenza in the 4th Century and acquired its current name in 1989.
- The Diocese of Parma was established in 680.
- The Diocese of Fidenza was established as the Diocese of Borgo San Donnino in 1601 and acquired its current name in 1927.
- The Diocese of Carpi was established in 1779.
Definitions
The Catholic Church is mostly divided into ecclesiastical provinces—a province consists of a metropolitan archdiocese and one or more dioceses. The province and the archdiocese are led by an archbishop. Each of the dioceses is called a suffragan diocese and is led by a bishop. Archbishops have some responsibilities for the province, but all bishops answer directly to the Pope.
A basilica is an honorary title bestowed on a church by the Pope because of the church’s antiquity, dignity, historical importance, or significance as a center of worship. Some cathedrals are also basilicas. Each basilica has a ceremonial umbrella in the papal colors of white and yellow and a ceremonial bell. Both of these are symbolic of the Pope’s special relationship to the basilica.
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