Cattedrale di S. Lorenzo
St. Lawrence's Cathedral

ADDRESS: Piazza San Lorenzo


The construction took several hundred years until the XVI century and different styles can be recognized.

Elements of the XI-XII century church, which replaced the previous IX century one, are still visible along the sides, namely the portals, tombs and epigraphs.

The black and white banded facade is rather common in Genova as well as in part of Tuscany.

The facade
The lion and the Apostol The sculptures in the facade are scenographically enhanced by the staircases rising from the lower square. Among them, the gothic column supporting lions and the Apostol with sunclock, commonly know as l'arrotino (the knife-grinder).
The gothic portals of the facade outstand in the italian architecture of the time.

The lunette of the central portal, showing the Martyrdom of St. Lawrence , is particularly relevant.

The central lunette
Inside the church In the cathedral, the Museum of the St. Lawrence Treasury is hosted.

Interesting objects ketp there:
  • The green basin brought from Cesarea (now in Israel) by Gugliemo Embriaco as a cruisade trophy, believed to be the Holy Graal;
  • The silver ark of St. John the Baptist (the protector of the city);
  • The byzantine Zaccaria's cross.

  • The Museum is open 9 a.m. to 12 / 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Sunday.

     

    Links to gallery

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