Cathedrals of Verona. Orthodox churches and parishes in Italy

VERONA is a city in the north-east of Italy, in the region of Venice, at the foot of the Alps, on both banks of the Adige River with a population of about 300 thousand people. Verona is a pearl city, hiding behind its elegant facades a centuries-old and illustrious history, a city sung by Petrarch, Shakespeare, Goethe, Byron, a city of Romeo and Juliet, which, however, has not lost its romantic aura. It is everywhere: in the labyrinth of old streets, in arches and gates, in venerable palaces, quiet temples and gardens. BASILICA OF SAINT ZENON OF VERONIA One of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in Verona, erected on the burial site of the city's patron, Zeno of Veronia, who was also the first local bishop. Saint Zenon died at the end of the 4th century, and several decades later a small church was built over his grave by order of Emperor Theodoric the Great. It existed for about four centuries until it was destroyed in 807, and in its place a new temple appeared in which the relics of Zenon were placed.
This church stood even shorter - at the beginning of the 10th century, during the Hungarian invasion, it was almost completely destroyed, and the relics of the saint were transferred to the cathedral.
The construction of the current basilica building was completed in the second half of the 10th century by order of Emperor Otto the Great, and the bell tower was built in the 11th century. Despite the fact that the building was severely damaged during the earthquake of 1117, by 1138 it had been restored.
At the end of the 14th century, further renovation work was carried out here - the roof was replaced, the ceiling of the central nave was created and an apse in the Gothic style was added. Then, for a long time, the temple turned out to be half-abandoned, and in the early 1800s it was in a deplorable state. Its complete restoration was completed only in 1993. The current building of the basilica is built from local volcanic tuff with rare marble inclusions, which are decorated with bas-reliefs on the theme of the Last Judgment. The author of these bas-reliefs, which today, unfortunately, are poorly visible, is the sculptor Brioloto. He also created a round rose window in the center of the facade, called the “Wheel of Fortune”. The entrance to the church is decorated with a Gothic portal created in the 12th century by the master Nicolo.
The interior of the temple is striking in its luxury: here you can see a 12th-century font carved from a single piece of marble, a carved stone altar, frescoes from the 13th-15th centuries and other works of art, including Andrea Mantegna’s famous triptych “Madonna Enthroned with Angels and Saints” .

One of the naves houses a huge porphyry bowl, discovered during excavations of ancient Roman baths. And in the crypt, in a crystal shrine, are the relics of St. Zenon.

A 12th-century cloister is attached to the basilica. Its galleries are framed by numerous double columns with arches. On the north side there is a small pavilion (aedicule), in which a monument to Pope John Paul II is installed. The cloister displays several medieval tombstones, one of which from 1313 belongs to a representative of the Scaliger family, and a number of medieval paintings have been preserved. Adjacent to the cloister is a lapidarium - a collection of ancient inscriptions.

CHURCH OF ST. MARY Roman Catholic church and one of the most visited places in Verona. Architecturally, the church is a three-nave basilica in the Romanesque style.
The original church building, built in the 7th century, was destroyed by the earthquake of 1117. The current church building was consecrated in 1185 by the Patriarch of Aquileia. During the reign of the Scaligerians, the church served as a palace chapel. The building is a small building in the Romanesque style with a bell tower. The walls are made of alternating brick and stone masonry. The church has an ascetic interior without outstanding works of art. Next to the church are the Arches of the Scaligeri - Gothic tombstones of the rulers of Verona, of which the tombstone of Cangrade I Della Scala adorns the entrance to the church. CHURCH OF ST. ANASTASIA THE PATTERN maker The largest of the city churches. Construction began in 1290 and continued until 1481. Initially, it was intended to dedicate the cathedral to the Verona martyr Saint Peter, but the townspeople continued to call the basilica after Saint Anastasia.
The basilica has a high apse with a bell tower attached to it, ending in a pointed gable with white ribs. The main façade of the church remained unfinished (the upper part was devoid of cladding). The church portal has two doorways and is decorated with bas-reliefs by Rigino di Enrico on scenes from the New Testament and the lives of St. Anastasia and the Apostle Peter, as well as the history of the Dominican Order.
The mosaic marble floor of the church was laid out by Pietro da Porlezza in 1462 from white, pink and blue-gray marble. The arcature of the entrance portal of the basilica was lined with marble of the same colors.
The basilica has three aisles, the naves are separated by a colonnade of 12 round red marble columns that support vaults decorated with floral patterns. At two columns located at the entrance to the church there are holy water bowls (XVI century), resting on grotesque statues called the hunchbacks of St. Anastasia.
CHURCH OF THE HOLY APOSTLES The church was built in the fifth century and was rebuilt several times after two major fires. At the beginning of the fifteenth century the chancel was modified with decoration of the front arch of the apse. An airstrike on January 4, 1945 caused significant damage to the building, especially to the tombs, roof, chapel, and the adjacent loggia.
Bell tower CHURCH OF ST. BERNARDINE The church was built in honor of St. Bernard, who on the way to Verona performed a miracle - he prayed for the deceased and he was resurrected.

CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY The church was built between 1074 and 1077. Over all these years, the abbey has changed beyond recognition and was rebuilt many times.
Inside there are numerous preserved frescoes
The Church of the Holy Trinity is not part of the chain of historical churches in Verona, so access is free. Although it is usually open to visitors throughout the day.
CATHEDRAL Construction of the temple in the Romanesque style began in the first half of the 12th century, and its consecration took place in 1187. In the middle of the 15th century, it was built on and expanded, as a result of which it acquired late Gothic features. Above the portal in the lunette there is a relief image of the Virgin Mary in a scene of adoration of the shepherds and wise men. The portal is decorated with sculptural images of Old Testament prophets, hunting scenes and figures of two knights from the Caroline epic - Roland and Olivier.
The cathedral has three aisles, the interior decoration is made in the Gothic style, which is emphasized by columns made of red Verona marble, pointed arcades, cross vaults with golden stars on a blue background. The side altars and chapels are arranged in special sections, painted in the 16th century by Giovanni Falconetto.

Reclining griffins
CHURCH OF SAINT EUPHIMINIA Construction began in 1275, the consecration of the temple took place in 1331. The building was rebuilt several times and acquired its modern appearance by the 15th century. A Gothic portal was erected, decorated with statues of saints, and two high windows separated by a column were made on the façade. A Romanesque style bell tower is attached to the building. The church is single-nave, decorated with modern frescoes. Church bell tower CHURCH OF SAN FERMO This interesting church is located in the heart of Verona at the very end of Via Leoni. It includes parts of two ancient buildings: a Romanesque foundation from the 11th century and Gothic walls from the 13th century. The interior decoration fully corresponds to the Gothic canons, but once you go downstairs to the basement, you will plunge into the atmosphere of a Romanesque church.
MONASTERY OF ST. GEORGE Founded in the 11th century, in the 1440s it passed to the Venetian brotherhood of St. George in the Algae. In the second half of the 15th century, it was completely rebuilt and the monastery complex began to consist of the main temple and small residential premises attached to it. On its façade are visible traces of bullets that appeared during the battle between the French and Austrians on the banks of the Adige River on October 18, 1805.
CHURCH OF SAINT LORENZO The church was rebuilt several times: in the 15th century, a bell tower was added to it, and later a Renaissance side portico. Despite this, the church is a valuable example of the Romanesque style with a number of elements of Norman and Byzantine architecture. Among them is the matroneum, galleries intended for women.
Spiral staircases are built into round towers that stand out on the façade of the church (made of alternating strips of stone and brick). The interior of the temple has been preserved from the 12th century. The church has three naves, light enters through small windows in the high central nave.
Crucifixion of Christ
Madonna
SANCTUARY OF THE MOTHER OF PEACE Construction of the church began in 1559. CHURCH OF ST. NAZARIUS AND KELSIYA Dedicated to the Milanese martyrs Nazarius and Celsius (suffered in the middle of the 1st century). The church building was built in 1464-1483 (the stonework was completed in the first two years of construction) on the site of an older building from the 8th century. Later, large Renaissance windows were made on the brick façade, and in 1552 a bell tower was added to the church. In 1575, the presbytery was expanded. In 1688, the entrance to the churchyard was decorated with a neoclassical portal and a baroque fence. The church has three naves separated by Doric columns. Above the side naves there are choirs, opening into the space of the central nave with an arcade with Ionic columns. CHURCH OF ST. TERESA Construction was not completed until 1750, although the façade was completed even later. The church was originally dedicated to the Virgin of the Annunciation and St. Gabriel the Archangel, and then to the Discalced Carmelites and their patron, Teresa of Avila. The church was closed on July 8, 1806, like many other churches by order of Napoleon, and, from 1883, was used as a prison. The building was destroyed by bombing during World War II.
JESUIT MONASTERY OF SAINT LIBERTY The church, founded in the 10th century in honor of Saint Syro, stands among the ruins of the Roman theater. Inside the body there are four altars and two side chapels opened at the end of the eighteenth century, with portraits, and the main altar in marble.
CHURCH OF ST. STEPHAN Built in the fifth century, it is one of the few churches that were not destroyed by the powerful earthquake of 1117.
CHURCH OF SAINT TEUTHERIUS Consecrated in 751 by Bishop Hanno: it is therefore the oldest church in the Veneto region.
CHURCH OF ST. THOMAS The church was built by the Carmelites in the fifteenth century in the Romanesque-Gothic style. Along the right side of the church, there is a bell tower, 60 meters high, which was built at the end of the fifteenth century in the Romanesque style. It contains ten bells.
CHURCH OF SAINT ZENON According to legend, it was at this place that Zeno of Verona prayed and fished on the banks of the Adige River. The church preserves an ancient stone on which Zeno fished. In the Roman era there was a necropolis here. In the 12th century, immediately after the earthquake of 1117, a Romanesque church was built here (or a previously existing one was restored), which began to be rebuilt almost immediately (windows were opened on the facade and a Gothic portal on the street side).
The church was closed during the Napoleonic era in 1808 and stripped of all its valuables and works of art. It was revived through the efforts of Fra Giacomo Solomone in 1827, who made changes to the entrance portal to the temple courtyard and the altar on the left wall. The church collected works of painting, sculpture and architecture from closed or destroyed cathedrals. During the Second World War, the church was badly damaged; in 1957, the right nave collapsed and valuable frescoes depicting St. Francis were lost. The restoration carried out returned many of the original structures from the 13th century and later - the red marble balustrade and marble floor.
The facade of the church with an interesting Romanesque portal of pink marble. In the lunette there is a fresco of the Madonna and Child. The round window on the facade and narrow side windows are made in the Gothic style. The inside of the church is three-nave with a wooden ceiling. On the walls, previously completely covered with frescoes, individual fragments of paintings from the 13th and 14th centuries have been preserved. Above the entrance is a Crucifix by an unknown Verona painter, circa 1330.

It was built on the site of two early Christian churches. It was consecrated in the 12th century, but was subsequently rebuilt several times.

The facade, decorated with a double-arched portico, shows a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic styles. The cathedral's three naves, separated by tall red marble columns, are Gothic in style, and the paintings and statues decorating the cathedral were added during the Renaissance. Among the masterpieces stored in the cathedral, it is worth noting “The Assumption of the Virgin Mary” by Titian.

Opening hours: from November to February from 10.00 to 13.00 and from 13.30 to 16.00, from March to October from 10.00 to 17.30

On weekends and holidays the church is open from 13.00.

Piazza Duomo 21, Verona

Tel.: +39 045 592813

www.cattedralediverona.it

Church of San Zeno Maggiore (Chiesa di San Zeno Maggiore). V-XII centuries.

Urban legend says that during a flood in 589, when the Adige River overflowed its banks, the water stopped at the threshold of this church and spared the faithful.

The Church of San Zeno is one of the most outstanding examples of Romanesque architecture in Italy. Built in the 5th century to store the relics of the saint, it was rebuilt several times. The building, which has survived to this day, was erected in the 12th century. The church is decorated with numerous frescoes, sculptures and paintings from the 12th to 16th centuries, among which the image of Saint Zeno by Andrea Mantegna, which adorns the altar from the 15th century, deserves special attention.

Opening hours: from 10.00 to 18.00.

On weekends and holidays the church is open from 13.00.

Piazza San Zeno 2, Verona

Tel.: +39 045 800 6120

www.basilicasanzeno.it

Church of St. Anastasia (Chiesa Santa Anastasia)

The largest church in Verona. Built by the Dominican Order between the 13th and 15th centuries, it absorbed two churches built by order of King Teodorico - the Church of Anastasius and the Church of Remigio.

The Church of St. Anastasia is an example of Italian Gothic architecture. Twilight reigns inside, high painted vaults rest on massive round columns. The crypts next to the first two columns support grotesque statues of the so-called “hunchbacks”.

The church has three naves, a transept and a number of chapels. The majestic chapels are decorated with precious frescoes, marble sculptures and paintings by famous masters such as Francesco Caroto, Liberale da Verona and many others.

Piazza S. Anastasia, Verona

Tel.: +39 045 800 4325

Church of San Lorenzo (Chiesa San Lorenzo). VIII century

This ancient church is built in the Romanesque style, with Norman and Byzantine elements, and has been rebuilt several times over the centuries. Like many other Verona churches, it has an ornament of alternating stripes of different colors and different materials.

The interior decoration has been preserved since the 12th century; the transept apses and side naves deserve attention. The latter contains a rare element for Catholic churches - the matroneum. These are galleries that were intended for women.

If you look at the base of the left tower of the church, which was added to the church much later, you can clearly see that stones were used to build it (this is indicated by the white marble and the ornament of the “bricks”).

This church was once located outside the city, next to. These days, the Church of San Lorenzo is located in the city center, but is not conspicuous. To get to it, you need to go through a late Gothic arch.

Corso Cavour 28, Verona

Tel.: +39 045 805 0000

Church of San Fermo Maggiore. V - XI centuries

The original church of San Fermo was built in the 5th century. at the site of the death of the Verona martyrs - San Fermo and San Rustico. Their relics are buried under the main altar of the church.

In the 11th century a new one was built on top of the old church - the one we can see today. Its facade is made in a typical Verona style, based on the alternation of two colors and different materials. On the right side of the main entrance is the tomb of Aventino Fracastoro, the personal physician of the Scaliger family.

The nave of the church is decorated with elaborate frescoes and the magnificent ceiling is made of wood. The main and side entrances are decorated with paintings on the theme of the crucifixion of Christ, works by Turrone and Altichieri.

Through the door to the left of the main altar you can go to the “lower”, oldest church of San Fermo Maggiore. It seems that numerous columns divide it into 4 naves. The walls and columns of this ancient church are covered with frescoes from the 13th century.

Entrance fee: € 2.50

Opening hours: from 10.00 to 18.00 (Sunday from 13.00 to 18.00-)

Stradone San Fermo 1, Verona

Tel.: +39 045 592813

Church of San Tomaso

The church is located next to the Ponte Nuovo del Popolo bridge. It was built in the 15th century, on the foundations of two previous churches, and consecrated in 1504. The wall of the church choir was made by the famous architect Michele Sanmicheli, who is buried here in the church.

This church is also notable for the fact that in 1769, 13-year-old Mozart played an organ concert there and left his initials “WSM” (Wolfgang Salisburgensis Mozart) on the organ tree (unfortunately, the public is not allowed access to the organ).

Piazza San Tomaso 1, Verona

Tel.: +39 045 594466

Church of San Giorgio in Braida

The church stands on the foundations of a Benedictine monastery built in the 11th century, from which only the bell tower in the Romanesque style (12th century) has survived to this day. In the 15th century, the monastery passed into the hands of the brotherhood of St. George and was rebuilt.

In the 16th century, a dome by Sanmicheli (1540) was added to the church, and at the end of the 16th century. it was decorated with a facade of white marble, decorated with statues of Saints George and Lawrence. The façade of the church shows bullet holes left when Napoleonic troops occupied the city.

In the church you can see Tintoretto's painting "The Baptism of Christ", located above the main entrance. Another masterpiece, “The Martyrdom of St. George” by Paolo Veronese, adorns the altar of the church.

Porta San Giorgio 6, Verona

This interesting church is located in the heart of Verona at the very end of Via Leoni. It includes parts of two ancient buildings: a Romanesque foundation from the 11th century and Gothic walls from the 13th century. The interior decoration fully corresponds to the Gothic canons, but once you go downstairs to the basement, you will plunge into the atmosphere of a Romanesque church.

Church of St. George (Chiesa di San Giorgio in Braida)

The Church of St. George is located in the medieval quarter of Veronetta between Adige and the road to the city of Trento (150 meters north of the cathedral). The church was built in the 16th century, and the bell tower remains from a destroyed Romanesque monastery built in the 11th-12th centuries, which also included a small cloister to the north of the church, which was rebuilt in later eras. The bell tower remained unfinished. It contains bells cast by famous Veronese craftsmen in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The façade of the church is made of white marble, while the rest of the church is made of brick. It consists of two tiers of pilasters: Ionic at the bottom and Corinthian at the top. In the side niches are two statues of St. George and St. Lawrence (Venetian bishop).

The church has one wide nave, built in the 30-40s of the 16th century. The dome over the vast choir area was designed by Michele Sanmicheli in 1540. The church contains several important works of art. These, first of all, include masterpieces of Renaissance painting: Tintoretto’s “Baptism of Christ”, located above the central entrance, and Paolo Veronese’s “Martyrdom of St. George” under the dome. In addition, the church contains paintings by such prominent artists as the Veronese Paolo Farinati and the representative of the Venetian school Moretto da Brescia.

Parish in honor of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Rector: Archpriest Trifon Bulat
Address: Via Saragozza, 2. Cap 40135, Bologna

Brescia

Parish in honor of the Descent of the Holy Spirit
Rector: Archimandrite Vladimir (Porubin)
Address: Chiesa Santi Cosma e Damiano, Via Cairoli 23, Brescia

Community in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
Address: via San Faustino 36, Brescia
Divine services are held on Sundays and holidays

Biella

Community in honor of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Address: via Tripoli 21, Biella
Services are held on Saturdays and the third Sunday of each month

Varese

Parish in honor of St. blgv. Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky
Rector: Priest Vladimir Khomenko
Address: via Milazzo 15, Varese
www.pravoslavievarese.org

Venice

Parish in honor of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women
Rector: Archpriest Alexy Yastrebov
Address: Campo San Zandegolà, 1, Santa Croce, Venezia
Tel.: +393384753739 +393384753739
www.pravoslavie.it

Verona

Rector: Archpriest Sergiy Dmitriev
Address: Vicolo San Salvatore Vecchio, 9 Verona
Tel.: +393288017059 +393288017059
e-mail: [email protected]

Parish in honor of All Saints
Rector: priest Oleg Pirtu
Address: Chiesa S. Antonio, Via A. Manzoni - San Martino Buon Albergo

Genoa

Parish in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord
Rector: Priest John La Michela
Address: Chiesa alla salita della Seta 3r - Genova
Services are held on Saturdays and Sundays

Domodossola

Community in honor of the Holy Trinity
Address: via Paolo Silva 1, Domodossola
Services are held weekly on Saturdays

Imola

Parish in honor of the saints of Equal Apostles. kings Constantine and Helena
Rector: Archpriest Sergius Popescu
Address: Piazza della Conciliazione, 3 – Imola
Services are held on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays

Cagliari

Parish in honor of St. Savva the Sanctified
Rector: priest Mikhail Povalyaev
Address: via del Duomo, 23, Cagliari 09124
www.san-saba.org

Cantu

Community in honor of St. Anthony the Great
Address: via D'Averio 20
Services are held on the third Sunday of every month

Castrovillari

Parish in the name of St. John of Kronstadt
rector: priest Giovanni Capparelli
Address: Palazzo Gallo - Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II - 87012 Castrovillari (CS)
Tel.: +393473400419
www. arberiaortodossa.blogspot.it
Email: [email protected]

Catania

Parish in honor of the Holy Martyr Agathia
Rector: priest Apollinary Simonovich
Address: Piazza Spirito Santo, chiesa San Leone;
www.ortodossiainsicilia.it

Como

Community in honor of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul
Rector: priest Alexei Carpineanu
Address: Via Castelnuovo 1, Como 22100
www.bisericacomo.22web.org
Email: [email protected]
tel: +393899372675+393899372675

Community of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Address: piazza San Rocco 1, Como
Services are held every Sunday
www.como.prihod.ru

Crema

Community in honor of St. Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon
Address: via Civerchi 6 Crema
Divine services are held on Sundays and Wednesdays

Lecco

Community in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
via Seminario 35, Lecco
Divine services are held on Sundays and holidays
www.lecco.prihod.ru

Marrubiu

Parish in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear”
Rector: Priest Joseph Pino
Address: via Napoli 182, Marrubbiu, Sardegna
Divine services are held on Saturdays and Sundays
www.marrubiu.cerkov.ru

Merano

Parish in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
Rector: Hegumen Alexy (Nikonorov)
Address: Via Schaffer, 21 39012 Merano (BZ)
www.italy.orthodoxy.ru
e-mail: [email protected]

Milan

Parish of St. Ambrose of Milan
Rector: Archimandrite Ambrose (Makar)
Address: Largo Corsia dei Servi, 4 – 20122 – Milano
www.ortodossa-ambrogio.org
e-mail: [email protected]

Parish in honor of Saints Sergius, Seraphim and Vincent
Rector: Archimandrite Dimitri (Fantini)
Address: via Giulini, angolo via Porlezza, Milano
www.ortodossia.info

Modena

Parish in honor of All Saints
Rector: Archpriest George Arletti
Address: piazza Liberazione, Quartiere Modena Est, 41100, Modena
Divine services are held on Saturdays and Sundays
www.modena.cerkov.ru

Naples

Parish in the name of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called
Rector: Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov
Address: Via Leopoldo Rodino’, 20, 80138, Napoli
Tel.: +39 380 905 12 45
www.santandrea.ru

Novara

Parish in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
Rector: Hieromonk Theophilus (Barbieri)
Address: via C. Magnani Ricotti 25 – 28100 Novara (NO)
www.ortodossia.info
Email: [email protected]

Novellara

Rector: priest Gennady Popadiuk
Address: via Cavour, 10\1 Novellara
Services are held on Sundays

Padua

Rector: Archpriest Vasily Shestovsky
Address: via SS.Fabiano e Sebastiano, 134 Padova
Divine services are held on Sundays and holidays
www.padova.cerkov.ru

Pesaro

Parish in honor of the Holy Trinity
Rector: Priest Vyacheslav Tukan
Address: chiesa san Giovanni Battista, via Paseri 98 Pesaro
Tel.: +393278611852
Divine services are held on Sundays and holidays
www.pesaro.cerkov.ru

Perugia

Parish in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Rector: priest Nikolai Dragutan
Address: via Monteripido 2, Perugia
Divine services are held on Sundays
www.perugia.cerkov.ru

Pescara

Parish in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Rector: Archpriest Vyacheslav Safonov
Address: Montesilvano, via Vestino 9
Services are held on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
www.pescarahram.org

Pistoia

Parish in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Rector: Abbot Andrey (Wade)
Address: Via di Ripalta, 251100 Pistoia
www.sanmamante.org
e-mail: [email protected]

Piacenza

Parish in honor of the Three Saints
Rector: Archpriest Gregory Katan
Address: Chiesa San Eustachio, via del Consiglio 9, Piacenza
Services are held on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
www.piacenza.cerkov.ru

Ravenna

Rector: Hieromonk Seraphim (Valeriani)
Address: via Candiano 33 angolo piazza d’Armi – Ravenna
www.ravenna.cerkov.ru

Rovereto

Parish in the name of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel

Address: Chiesa S.Antonio, Via R. Zotti, 1-A Rovereto (TN) 38068
Tel.: +393891666643; +393455139131
www.ortodoxtrento.com
Email: [email protected]

Taranto

Parish in honor of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Rector: Archpriest Anthony Lotti
Address: via Vittorio Veneto 55, Francavilla Fontana
Divine services are held on Saturdays and Sundays
www.taranto.cerkov.ru

Treviso

Parish in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
Rector: Priest Ioan Ciobanu
Address: Chiesa Sant'Agostino, Via S. Agostino 36, 31100 Treviso (TV)
Divine services are held on Saturdays and Sundays

Trento

Parish in the name of St. Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg
Rector: Archpriest John Grebenosu
Address: Chiesa S.Antonio, Via R. Zotti, 1-A / 38068 Rovereto (TN)
Services are held on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
www.trento.cerkov.ru

Parish in honor of the Entry into the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Address: vicolo San Martino 6, Trento
Divine services are held once or twice a month on Sundays
www.prihodtrento.cerkov.ru

Turin

Parish in the name of St. Maximus, Bishop of Turin
Rector: Abbot Ambrose (Cassinasco)
Address: Strada Val San Martino 7 - 10131 Torino
www.ortodossiatorino.net
E-mail: [email protected]

Parish in honor of the Resurrection of Christ
Parish address: via Galileo Galilei, 15 Torino (Moncaglieri)
Parish rector: Archpriest George Ursache

Udine

Parish in honor of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Rector: Archpriest Vladimir Melnichuk
Address: via Ellero, angolo viale Ungheria, Udine
http://nostrachiesa.ucoz.com/

Florence

Russian Orthodox Church of the Nativity of Christ and St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Address: via Leone X, Firenze

Tel. +39 055 490148

http://www.chiesarussafirenze.org

Detailed information on the website ortodossia.org

Verona Cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Matricolare, or simply Duomo di Verona) is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city of Romeo and Juliet.

Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Verona Cathedral is not only a magnificent example of Romanesque architecture, but also the main church of the city, as it is the seat of the bishop.

The cathedral itself is one of the constituent parts of a larger architectural complex, which in addition to it also includes the Church of St. Helena, the Baptistery of St. Giovanni in Fonte, the Chapter Library, as well as the bishop's cathedral.

Before appearing to city residents and tourists in its modern form, this architectural complex went through a long and interesting history. It all started with a small church, which was located exactly on the site that is now occupied by the Church of St. Helena. This church was built in the 4th century and consecrated by Saint Zeno, Bishop of Verona in 362-380. ad. After several years, it became obvious that the church was too small for worship, which was the reason for the construction of a larger and more spacious basilica in its place. In the 7th century, the new cathedral was destroyed during a fire or. The architecture of the cathedral as it stands today retains beautiful mosaic floors from these two original churches.

A new cathedral was built on the site of the destroyed one a long time later - only between the 8th and 9th centuries. However, the newly erected cathedral repeated the fate of its predecessor - another earthquake in 1117 seriously damaged it, as well as many other buildings in Verona. Repair and restoration of the building took more than 20 years.

The subsequent fate of the cathedral was less tragic; however, it was remodeled several times and also supplemented with new elements before it acquired its current appearance.

Why it's worth a visit

The Verona Cathedral is traditionally of interest to tourists due to its unusually beautiful façade made of marble, as well as unusual architectural elements of the exterior design. At the same time, the interior decoration of the church with elements of medieval carvings and unique works of art deserves no less attention.

Appearance

Verona Cathedral, from an architectural point of view, is a unique combination of elements of Romanesque and Gothic styles.

The façade of the cathedral consists of three parts, which are marked by triangular buttresses. The central portico is one of the few surviving elements of the original appearance of the cathedral. It was created in 1139 by one of the most famous Italian masters of that time, Nikolaus. The latter’s list of works also includes the entrance portal of the Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore in Verona, as well as the Cathedral (Basilica Cattedrale di San Giorgio Martire). The portico of the cathedral is formed by twisted columns made of white and red marble and supported by winged griffins. These columns, in turn, support a semicircular arch. If you look closely, you can see numerous relief decorations on this massive arch. The upper part of the portico is also represented by an arch with a tympanum, which is supported by eight columns located on both sides.

The slopes of the entrance portal are decorated with figures of prophets and animals. The cathedral's lunette depicts the Virgin Mary holding a child in her arms (high relief). On either side of the Virgin Mary are two biblical scenes executed in low relief, “The Annunciation to the Shepherds” (left) and “Adoration of the Magi” (right). On the architrave of the cathedral there are three medallions with allegorical images of the three virtues - faith, hope and love. On the walls and vault of the portico you can find elements of frescoes dating back to the 13th century.
The large, Gothic-style windows of the cathedral's façade are the result of reconstruction work that took place in the 14th century. In the 17th century, the architecture of the cathedral was complemented by decoration in the upper part of the facade. On the south side of the cathedral there is a second entrance portal.

Interior decoration

The interior design of this architectural monument is represented by three naves, as well as numerous chapels. In the side naves of the cathedral there are two symmetrically installed organs.

The organ, located in the left nave of the cathedral, deserves special attention. It is decorated with beautiful paintings, on which you can see a biblical scene - the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well as images of the four bishops of the city. This unique painting was made in the 16th century.
Decorated with carvings and stucco, the chapels of the cathedral also contain numerous works of art, dating mainly to the periods and.

The bulk of these works of art were made by masters who lived and worked in Verona. Among the most famous and well-known of them are “The Transfiguration of Christ” by the master Giambettino Cignaroli, “Our Lady with Saints Peter, Paul and Anthony of Padua” by Antonio Balestra, as well as “The Adoration of the Magi” by Liberale da Verona and others.

The Verona Cathedral also contains a few Romanesque frescoes, which are of great value, since only a few works of monumental painting from this era have survived to this day. One of these frescoes depicts the crucified Christ, supported by two angels, next to the Mother of God mourning him. Another such fresco depicts the scene of the Annunciation. This work of art was created in the 12th century.

The central nave of the cathedral ends with an altar. The author of the altar, created in the 16th century, is the architect Michele Sanmicheli. The central nave of the cathedral is decorated with frescoes depicting various biblical scenes, including “The Nativity,” “The Presentation in the Temple,” “The Annunciation,” and “The Ascension of Our Lady with the Apostles.”

One of the chapels of the cathedral contains the sarcophagus of St. Agatha, which dates back to 1353. The sarcophagus is decorated with compositions showing the scene of the awakening of Saint Agatha by four angels, as well as the scene of the martyrdom of the saint.

Opening hours and address

Verona Cathedral operates according to the following schedule:

Monday-Saturday: 10:00-17:30
Sunday: 13:00-17:30
Address: Piazza Duomo, 21 – 37121 Verona
Phone: +39 045 592813
Email: [email protected]
Official website: cattedralediverona.it

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