Photos of the Romanesque Cremona Cathedral Architecture Art

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Photos of the Medieval Romanesque Cremona Cathedral Architecture Art Sculpture, Italy. The Duomo di Cremona, Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta. Photos by photographer Paul E Williams.  (TIP – use the icons below the slideshow for thumbnail photos and info)

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Photos of the Romanesque Cremona Cathedral Architecture Art Sculpture

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Photos of the Romanesque Duomo and Baptistry of Cremona, Lombardy, Italy.

Cremona Cathedral

Commissioned by Queen Matilda di Canossa and dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin the construction of Cremona Cathedral and Baptistry began in 1107.

The octagonal Cremona Baptistry has both Romanesque and Gothic Lombard elements. The canope above the main portal of both the Duomo and Baptistry are held up by two pillars on Romanesque style sculptures of Lions two lions.

Romanesque Lion Sculptures

Sculpted Lions are often used at Romanesque Church entrances. In Medieval mythology the Lions have associations with the martyrdom of Christians in Roman Colosseums. According to the Medieval Bestiary Lionesses represent the sin of Pride, hence the saying of the period “You have caught me because of my pride, like a lioness”. Lions at the entrances of Romanesque churches may have earned medieval people to leave their “Pride” outside.

Cremona Cathedral Facade

The portal of Cremona Cathedral is Romanesque from the early 12th century. On its side are sculpted the figures of the Four Major Prophets, each bearing a roll with the text of their prophecies. The narthex was made by masters from Campione in the following century. It incorporates an older Romanesque frieze portraying the Labours of the Months. The four statues on the upper loggia, portraying the Madonna with Child and two bishops, are of the Tuscan school around 1310.

Cremona Clock Tower

Completed in 1309 the terrazzo, the bell tower of the Cathedral of Cremona, stands 112 meters (343 feet) high making it the 3rd highest brick tower in the world.