Friday, July 12, 2013

Grado (1): The Cathedral

  

The cathedral of Grado or Basilica di S. Eufemia
was consecrated on 3 November 579 by Elias,
who was bishop of Grado 571-586.
 
 
The exterior of the cathedral; the southern wall.


The bell tower, 42.60 m high, is from the late Middle Ages, ca. 1400.

 
The interior of the cathedral seen from the entrance.
The church is ca. 35 m long and ca. 20 m wide.


The apse at the eastern end of the cathedral.


The ambo.


An ancient Corinthian capital from Aquileia is used as a font for holy water.


The floor (ca. 700 square meters) is covered with polychrome mosaics.
Geometric patters and inscriptions.


Detail of the mosaic floor.


Detail of the mosaic floor.


A capital with aquatic leaves. This type is known as Egyptian.


A capital which combines the Ionic and the Corinthian style.
This type is know as composite.


The interior of the church seen from the apse.


A small room next to the apse is known as the mausoleum.
The floor is covered with mosaics. Geometric patterns.


In the centre of the mosaic we can see the monogram of Elias,
who was bishop of Grado 571-586.


A small room next to the mausoleum is known as the salutatorium.
In this room we can see a copy of the so-called chair of San Marco.
The original chair was a gift from Emperor Heraclius (ca. 630).


The floor of the salutatorium is covered with polychrome mosaics. A large circle
encompasses eight smaller circles with votive inscriptions of ecclesiastic dignitaries and
complicated knots, which encompass a small circle, where you can see the monogram of Elias,
who was bishop in Grado 571-586. In each corner two birds face a cantharus.

* * *

Go to the next installment:

Grado (2): The Baptistery

* * *


 


No comments:

Post a Comment