Cathedral of St. George the Martyr, Ferrara, Italy

Central Nave

The cathedral’s Baroque interior consists of three naves and a triple transept. The high altar, consecrated in 1728, was created by Venetian sculptor Celio Tirini, who repurposed marble from various buildings in Ravenna, particularly from the ruins of King Theodoric’s Palace.

To the left of the altar lies the tomb of Pope Urban III (who died in Ferrara in 1187), and to the right is the bust of Pope Clement XI. On the counter-façade, monumental statues of Ferrara’s patron saints, Saint George and Saint Maurelio, stand, sculpted by Giovanni Marchiori in 1746. Bronze statues of the Crucifixion and Saints George and Maurelio, created by Niccolò Baroncelli and Domenico di Paris in the 15th century, are displayed in the cathedral, along with the painting Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence by Guercino, from the 17th century.

In the side chapels, one can admire works such as Madonna Enthroned with Saints by Garofalo, Coronation of the Virgin by Francesco Francia, and Virgin in Glory with Saints Barbara and Catherine by Bastianino (16th century). Bastianino also painted the fresco of the Last Judgement in the apse between 1577 and 1581, inspired by Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel fresco.

The last chapel on the left aisle is dedicated to Baptism and constructed in neo-Gothic style at the end of the 19th century. Inside, there is a baptismal font made from a single block of marble, recently attributed to Nicholaus.

Pipe Organs

The cathedral has a rich history of pipe organs. A pipe organ was first installed in the 15th century, though its original location remains uncertain. It was replaced in 1465 by a new instrument built by the Franciscan Giovanni da Mercatello, with painted doors by Cosmè Tura in 1469. This organ was designed to meet specific requirements, as confirmed in the contract of April 27, 1465, which describes it as “noble, beautiful, adorned, most ornate and perfect in both beauty and harmony.”

This organ was later removed and replaced with a new one after Biagio Rossetti began renovating the apse.

Major Organ

A new pipe organ was built in 1967 by the Paduan firm Fratelli Ruffatti. The instrument features entirely electric transmission, with a movable console in the apse containing three keyboards of 61 notes each and a concave-radial pedalboard of 32 notes. The organ’s sound material is distributed across three locations:

• The Positivo Espressivo (first keyboard) and its corresponding pedal section are located behind the main altar.
• The Great Organ (second keyboard) and its pedal section are positioned in the Baroque case above the choir loft to the right of the presbytery.
• The Espressivo (third keyboard) and its pedal section are located in the Baroque case above the choir loft to the left of the presbytery.

Organ of the Chapel of Santa Maria delle Grazie

In the first side chapel on the right, dedicated to Santa Maria delle Grazie, the cathedral houses a second organ, built by Domenico Fedeli in 1746 and enlarged by Filippo and Antonio Fedeli in 1780. This organ, with mechanical transmission, has a window console with a single keyboard of 52 keys and a pedalboard with 18 notes, continuously connected to the manual.