Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Santa Giustina in Piacenza, Italy

Origins and Early Construction

The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Santa Giustina has its roots in the early religious structures of Piacenza. Originally, the city’s first cathedral was the Basilica of Sant’Antonino, located outside the city walls. Meanwhile, the Church of San Giovanni Evangelista, built in the mid-8th century in what is now Piazza Duomo, played a significant role alongside the cathedral, even replacing it on occasion, such as during the burial of bishops of Piacenza. After the cathedral’s construction, the church was shortened and ultimately demolished in 1544 to enlarge the square.

In 1122, construction of the new cathedral began under Bishop de’ Gabrielli, following the destruction of the previous cathedral, dedicated to Santa Giustina, due to the 1117 earthquake. The foundation year of the current cathedral is commemorated by an epigraph above the south portal of the building. The cathedral’s construction is believed to have occurred in several phases, with work on the apse, transept, and northern side of the building taking place during the first phase from 1122 to 1150. The final construction was completed between 1202 and 1250.

Construction Phases and Key Developments

Scholars generally propose two main theories for the cathedral’s construction. The first suggests that the first phase of construction lasted from 1122 to 1150 and included the building of the apse, presbytery, transept, part of the southern nave, and the northern side of the cathedral, including part of the tower. According to this theory, the final completion occurred between 1202 and 1235.

An alternative theory posits that the construction unfolded in three stages. The first stage, which began at the end of the 11th century and the start of the 12th century, saw the creation of a building with transepts. After the 1117 earthquake, restoration work was carried out between 1120 and 1130, and a final Gothic phase began around the early 13th century, adding elements typical of Gothic architecture.

Pope Innocent II consecrated the cathedral in 1132, and in 1250, Pope Innocent IV granted indulgences to donors contributing to the final construction phase. The bell tower was completed in 1333, with a gilded copper angel sculpture placed on top in 1341 by Pietro Vago. In 1495, Ludovico il Moro ordered the installation of an iron cage on the tower, intended as a deterrent for criminals.

Restoration and Renovations

In the late 16th century, restoration work was initiated by Bishop Rangoni, during which the presbytery was enlarged, and Baroque frescoes by Ludovico Carracci and Camillo Procaccini were added. In 1625, Bishop Giovanni Linati commissioned the decoration of the dome with frescoes of prophets, initially entrusted to Morazzone and later completed by Guercino in 1627 after Morazzone’s death.

While the interior of the cathedral underwent significant changes, the exterior remained largely in its original Lombard Romanesque style, suffering from extensive damage over the centuries. By the late 19th century, the structure was at risk of instability. Between 1897 and 1902, Bishop Giovanni Battista Scalabrini oversaw extensive restoration efforts led by architect Camillo Guidotti. The goal was to return the cathedral to its original appearance, including removing the clock from the façade, repositioning the Celtic cross, and reconstructing the central porch. Inside, 15 Baroque and Neoclassical chapels were removed, new neo-medieval frescoes were added, and a new pulpit was designed by Guidotti. However, the restoration work was interrupted by Scalabrini’s death in 1905.