Teramo Cathedral
Encyclopedia
The Cathedral of Teramo is a church in Teramo
, Abruzzo
, central Italy
. It is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary and to Saint Berardo
, patron saint of the city. Built in Romanesque
-Gothic
style, it was consecrated in 1176.
after the destruction of the former cathedral of Teramo, Santa Maria Aprutensis, by Robert of Loritello
in 1155.
The edifice was finished and consecrated in 1176, in Romanesque style. It had a nave and two aisles and a raised presbytery
. Most likely it also had an external narthex
. Part of the stones was taken from the nearby Roman theatre and amphitheatre; part of the latter was demolished to house the church.
In 1331-1335 bishop Niccolò degli Arcioni had the building extensively modified. The northern part was prolonged, starting from the three apses, which were removed. The new section was slightly misaligned. The addition was in Gothic style with slender ogival arcades, and is located at the same level than the old presbytery. It has a separate façade with a blind door. It was also added a new portal, decorated with Cosmatesque
mosaics, dated 1332 and signed by the Roman master Deodato. The portal is flanked by two columns supported by lions; they in turn support two statues, one of the Angel of the Annunciation, the other the Virgin. Both are attributed to Nicola da Guardiagrele. In the middle of the architrave
is Niccolò degli Arcioni's coat of arms, between those of Atri
and Teramo. The current shape of the new façade, and the Ghibelline merlons, are most likely later additions.
In the late-15th century a triangular Gothic tympanum
was placed over the portal; it houses niches with statues. On the right is the large bell tower. This was built in the 12th-13th (lower section), 14th (middle section) and 15th century (the octagonal lantern, designed by Antonio da Lodi, 1493).
In the 18th century the church was largely modified to adapt it to Baroque style. The columns and the six Romanesque spans were replaced by two cupolas supported by piers; the aisles were lowered, the interior received a stucco
decoration, and two portals were opened at the sides of the main portal. The original medieval appearance of the church was restored in the 1930s.
It is formed by 35 silver sheets in repoussé, placed in four horizontal rows on a wooden base, which are connected at the corners by 22 colorful enamelled
tessera
e, all within a silver frame added in 1734. The central sheet is double sized and depicts a Redeemer; it is flanked by the Four Evangelists and the four Doctors of the Church; the last scene represents Saint Francis
receiving the stigmata while the others show Jesus' life from the Annunciation to the Pentecost.
Also notable is the large polyptych
executed in the late 15th century by Jacobello del Fiore
. It shows, in the center, Christ crowned by the Virgin; under them is the representation of the city of Teramo as it was at the time. Other artworks include a 14th century wooden crucifix (discovered during the 2010 restorations) and the Madonna of the Master of Santa Caterina Gualino (14th century).
Teramo
Teramo is a city and comune in the central Italian region of Abruzzo, the capital of the province of Teramo.The city, from Rome, is situated between the highest mountains of the Apennines and the Adriatic coast...
, Abruzzo
Abruzzo
Abruzzo is a region in Italy, its western border lying less than due east of Rome. Abruzzo borders the region of Marche to the north, Lazio to the west and south-west, Molise to the south-east, and the Adriatic Sea to the east...
, central Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. It is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary and to Saint Berardo
Saint Berardo
Saint Berardo is an Italian saint, patron saint of the city and diocese of Teramo.-Life:Saint Berardo was born into the noble family da Pagliara, whose castle bore their name near the town of Isola del Gran Sasso in the Abruzzo region of Italy...
, patron saint of the city. Built in Romanesque
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
-Gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
style, it was consecrated in 1176.
History and description
The church was begun in 1158, by will of bishop Guido II of Teramo, in order to house the relics of Saint BerardoSaint Berardo
Saint Berardo is an Italian saint, patron saint of the city and diocese of Teramo.-Life:Saint Berardo was born into the noble family da Pagliara, whose castle bore their name near the town of Isola del Gran Sasso in the Abruzzo region of Italy...
after the destruction of the former cathedral of Teramo, Santa Maria Aprutensis, by Robert of Loritello
Robert III of Loritello
Robert II of Bassunvilla was the count of Conversano and Loritello . His family had a long history in Vassonville, near Dieppe....
in 1155.
The edifice was finished and consecrated in 1176, in Romanesque style. It had a nave and two aisles and a raised presbytery
Presbytery (architecture)
The presbytery is the name for an area in a church building which is reserved for the clergy.In the oldest church it is separated by short walls, by small columns and pilasters in the Renaissance ones; it can also be raised, being reachable by a few steps, usually with railings....
. Most likely it also had an external narthex
Narthex
The narthex of a church is the entrance or lobby area, located at the end of the nave, at the far end from the church's main altar. Traditionally the narthex was a part of the church building, but was not considered part of the church proper...
. Part of the stones was taken from the nearby Roman theatre and amphitheatre; part of the latter was demolished to house the church.
In 1331-1335 bishop Niccolò degli Arcioni had the building extensively modified. The northern part was prolonged, starting from the three apses, which were removed. The new section was slightly misaligned. The addition was in Gothic style with slender ogival arcades, and is located at the same level than the old presbytery. It has a separate façade with a blind door. It was also added a new portal, decorated with Cosmatesque
Cosmatesque
Cosmatesque, or Cosmati, is a style of geometric decorative inlay stonework typical of Medieval Italy, and especially of Rome and its surroundings. It was used most extensively for the decoration of church floors, but was also used to decorate church walls, pulpits, and bishop's thrones...
mosaics, dated 1332 and signed by the Roman master Deodato. The portal is flanked by two columns supported by lions; they in turn support two statues, one of the Angel of the Annunciation, the other the Virgin. Both are attributed to Nicola da Guardiagrele. In the middle of the architrave
Architrave
An architrave is the lintel or beam that rests on the capitals of the columns. It is an architectural element in Classical architecture.-Classical architecture:...
is Niccolò degli Arcioni's coat of arms, between those of Atri
Atri
This article is about the sage named Attri. See also the gotra named Atri. For the Italian city, see Atri, AbruzzoIn Hinduism, Attri or Atri is a legendary bard and scholar and was one of 9 Prajapatis, and a son of Brahma, said to be ancestor of some Brahmin, Prajapatis, kshatriya and Vaishya...
and Teramo. The current shape of the new façade, and the Ghibelline merlons, are most likely later additions.
In the late-15th century a triangular Gothic tympanum
Tympanum (architecture)
In architecture, a tympanum is the semi-circular or triangular decorative wall surface over an entrance, bounded by a lintel and arch. It often contains sculpture or other imagery or ornaments. Most architectural styles include this element....
was placed over the portal; it houses niches with statues. On the right is the large bell tower. This was built in the 12th-13th (lower section), 14th (middle section) and 15th century (the octagonal lantern, designed by Antonio da Lodi, 1493).
In the 18th century the church was largely modified to adapt it to Baroque style. The columns and the six Romanesque spans were replaced by two cupolas supported by piers; the aisles were lowered, the interior received a stucco
Stucco
Stucco or render is a material made of an aggregate, a binder, and water. Stucco is applied wet and hardens to a very dense solid. It is used as decorative coating for walls and ceilings and as a sculptural and artistic material in architecture...
decoration, and two portals were opened at the sides of the main portal. The original medieval appearance of the church was restored in the 1930s.
Artworks
Artworks in the church include the silver antependium of the high altar, a masterwork by Nicola da Guardagriele, who worked on it with his workshop from 1433 to 1448. This antependium replaced a previous one, also of precious quality, which had been stolen in 1416 during the troubles following the death of King Ladislaus of Naples.It is formed by 35 silver sheets in repoussé, placed in four horizontal rows on a wooden base, which are connected at the corners by 22 colorful enamelled
Vitreous enamel
Vitreous enamel, also porcelain enamel in U.S. English, is a material made by fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between 750 and 850 °C...
tessera
Tessera
A tessera is an individual tile in a mosaic, usually formed in the shape of a cube. It is also known as an abaciscus, abaculus, or, in Persian کاشي معرق. In antiquity, mosaics were formed from naturally colored pebbles, but by 200 BC purpose-made tesserae were being used...
e, all within a silver frame added in 1734. The central sheet is double sized and depicts a Redeemer; it is flanked by the Four Evangelists and the four Doctors of the Church; the last scene represents Saint Francis
Francis of Assisi
Saint Francis of Assisi was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher. He founded the men's Franciscan Order, the women’s Order of St. Clare, and the lay Third Order of Saint Francis. St...
receiving the stigmata while the others show Jesus' life from the Annunciation to the Pentecost.
Also notable is the large polyptych
Polyptych
A polyptych generally refers to a painting which is divided into sections, or panels. The terminology that follows is in relevance to the number of panels integrated into a particular piece of work: "diptych" describes a two-part work of art; "triptych" describes a three-part work; "tetraptych"...
executed in the late 15th century by Jacobello del Fiore
Jacobello del Fiore
Jacobello del Fiore was an Italian painter of the 15th century active mainly in Venice. He was the son and pupil of the painter Francesco del Fiore. One of his pupils was Carlo Crivelli....
. It shows, in the center, Christ crowned by the Virgin; under them is the representation of the city of Teramo as it was at the time. Other artworks include a 14th century wooden crucifix (discovered during the 2010 restorations) and the Madonna of the Master of Santa Caterina Gualino (14th century).