Photos of the Romanesque Ferrara Cathedral Architecture Art

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Photos of the Beautiful Medieval Romanesque Ferrara Cathedral Architecture Art sculptures. Also Basilica Cattedrale di San Giorgio, Duomo di Ferrara. 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 Medieval Romanesque Ferrara Cathedral Architecture Art sculptures.

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Photos of Ferrara Cathedral, of St George (Basilica Cattedrale di San Giorgio, Duomo di Ferrara).

The Ferrara Cathedral of St George

The Ferrara Cathedral of St George was originally designed in the 12th century as a Romanesque building. The facade is divided into 3 sections with rows of loggias, arcades and small rose windows. The original Romanesque design has been overlaid with Gothic balconies and sculptures.

Ferrara Cathedral Sculptures

The canopy over the main Romanesque portal is supported by two columns held up by sculptures of Atlas seated on the back of two Lion sculptures. Above the portal canopy is a Gothic sculpture of The Madonna with Child.

Ferrara Cathedral Last Judgement Sculpture

Above is a freeze of the Last Judgement of Doom Day in which Christ, sitting in the centre, makes his Last Judgement. Sinners are sent to the right to Hell and Damnation and the Good are sent to the left to Paradise.

The sinners and depicted in chains being tormented by devils. They are being forced along to their ultimate fate in Hell. Scenes depict sinners being boiled alive in a big cauldron or being fed to a huge monster. The Last Judgement is depicted on many Romanesque churches. It was strongly believed by medieval man that Christs las coming was imminent. This belief kept people going to church to confess and remit their sins so that they would be judged as sinners.

Ferrara Cathedral St George Sculpture

The portal lunette relief is a sculpture of the patron saint of Ferrara, St George, Killing a dragon. This is the work of the 12th century Romanesque Lombardic sculptor Nicolaus or Niccolo.

Below St George are panels depicting scenes from the life of Christ including the Nativity, the flight to Egypt and of Christ being Baptised by John the Baptist. On the door columns Niccolo has sculpted figures of the prophets that foretold the coming of Christ.

Ferrara Cathedral is a wonderful example of Romanesque architecture and art. It is a UNSECO World Heritage Site.