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Volterra Cathedral — Volterra
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Religious places 📍 Volterra, Italy 270 views

Volterra Cathedral

Dedicated to the Assumption, the cathedral was rebuilt around 1120 on a pre-existing church dedicated to St. Mary. The salient facade è divided horizontally by a cornice of plaits and flowers while vertically è divided into three compartments by strong quadrangular...

Photo · Claudia R.

Volterra Cathedral — Volterra, Italy.

Location
Volterra
Type
Religious places
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About Volterra Cathedral

Volterra Cathedral - Volterra | Secret World Trip Planner

Dedicated to the Assumption, the cathedral was rebuilt around 1120 on a pre-existing church dedicated to St. Mary. The salient facade è divided horizontally by a cornice of plaits and flowers while vertically è divided into three compartments by strong quadrangular pilasters of Lombard type. The insertion of the marble portal with its geometrically inlaid lunette, formed of sheet material from the Roman period, è to be traced back to the 13th century when the whole building was enlarged and adorned, according to Vasari, by Nicola Pisano. The interior, while preserving in its structure and layout the Romanesque form of a Latin cross, with three naves, due to the continuous renovations over the centuries, offers, particularly on the line of the naves, a late Renaissance appearance. the coffered ceiling, pleasing together by crosses, rhombuses, octagons, florals, figures of saints and various colors and gold, designed and put in place by Francesco Capriani, carved by Jacopo Pavolini da Castelfiorentino and put in gold by Fulvo della Tuccia. In the center of the nave è the Holy Spirit (Paradise). Around it are busts of the saints of the Volterra church: St. Hugh and St. Just, St. Linus Pope, St. Clement, SS. Attinia and Greciniana. In the center of the transept è the Virgin Assumed into Heaven with St. Victor and St. Octavian on either side.

Volterra Cathedral - Volterra | Secret World Trip Planner
Volterra Cathedral - Volterra | Secret World Trip Planner
Volterra Cathedral - Volterra | Secret World Trip Planner
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A perfect day in Volterra

Start with Volterra Cathedral, then continue with nearby places selected by Secret World.

  1. 01
    Morning
    Volterra Cathedral
    📍 Volterra
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  2. 02
    Afternoon
    📍 12.2 km away
  3. 03
    Evening
    📍 15.8 km away

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Frequently Asked Questions

Volterra Cathedral was rebuilt around 1120 on the site of a pre-existing church dedicated to St. Mary, and was rededicated to the Assumption. The building was significantly enlarged and adorned in the 13th century, with the famous architect Nicola Pisano contributing to its design according to Vasari.
The cathedral features a stunning coffered ceiling designed by Francesco Capriani with intricate geometric patterns including crosses, rhombuses, octagons, and floral motifs adorned with gold and images of saints. The ceiling was carved by Jacopo Pavolini da Castelfiorentino and gilded by Fulvo della Tuccia, creating a striking Renaissance masterpiece.
The cathedral preserves a Romanesque structure in the form of a Latin cross with three naves, though it has a late Renaissance appearance due to centuries of renovations. Inside, visitors can admire the ornate coffered ceiling featuring the Holy Spirit in the center of the nave, surrounded by busts of Volterra's patron saints, and the Virgin Assumed into Heaven depicted in the transept.
The salient facade features distinctive Lombard-style quadrangular pilasters that divide it vertically into three compartments, while horizontal divisions are created by decorative cornices of plaits and flowers. A remarkable marble portal with a geometrically inlaid lunette made from sheet material from the Roman period was added during the 13th-century enlargement.
The cathedral honors Volterra's patron saints, including St. Hugh, St. Just, St. Linus Pope, St. Clement, SS. Attinia and Greciniana, whose busts surround the Holy Spirit in the central nave. The transept features the Virgin Assumed into Heaven flanked by St. Victor and St. Octavian.

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