St. Bartholomew's Cathedral ( Italian: Cattedrale di San Bartolomeo ) is the cathedral of the diocese of Avezzano of the Roman Catholic Church in the city of Avezzano , in the province of L'Aquila , in the region of Abruzzo , in Italy .
| Catholic temple | |
| St. Bartholomew's Cathedral | |
|---|---|
| Cattedrale di san bartolomeo | |
 Facade of the Cathedral of St. Bartholomew in Avezzano | |
| A country |  Italy |
| City | Avezzano |
| Denomination | Catholicism |
| Diocese | Avezzano |
| Type of building | basilica |
| Architectural style | Romanesque style with elements of late baroque |
| Established | XI century |
| Status | Department of the Diocese of Avezzano |
| Site | |
Content
History
The history of at least four cathedral churches dedicated to the Apostle Bartholomew , the patron saint of the city, built over the centuries in Avezzano, is known. They all suffered from the devastating earthquakes that often occur in the area.
The ancient church in honor of St. Anthony the Great , and then St. Apostle Bartholomew was built in the XI century . In the second half of the XII century the church received from William II , king of Sicily , the title of royal chapel . Then the church was described in the XIII century in notarial documents confirming the payment of in-kind taxes by local residents.
This first building was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1349 , rebuilt and expanded in the 16th century in the style of Renaissance architecture. In 1572, the temple received the rank of collegiate. But in the XVI century the church was destroyed by an earthquake in 1703 , rebuilt with elements of the late Baroque, and again destroyed by the terrible earthquake of 1915 . The current cathedral building was recently restored.
Description
The facade is divided into three tiers . In the lower tier there are three portals - a large one in the center and two small ones on the sides. Above each portal there are lunettes with frescoes . A staircase leads from the square to the temple. On the middle tier of the facade at the edges are two round-shaped windows. In the upper tier is one large round window.
Inside the cathedral has three naves , separated by arched vaults with columns , and a transept . The arch of the central nave is supported by ten square columns, tapering to the top. The architrave is decorated with carvings reproducing the leaves and fruits of trees of various species.
Apse - an open round shape made of white stone quarried in the nearby mountains.
Links
See also
- Avezzano
- Cathedral of Santa Maria delle Grazie (Peschina)
- Diocese of Avezzano