St. Justin's Cathedral (Chieti)

At the site where St. Justin 's Cathedral in Chieti is now located, two other churches previously stood. The first church probably died in the fire of 801 , when the city was captured by Pipin of Aquitaine . The second church, built in 840 under Bishop Theodorico I, is unknown by whom and when it was destroyed. The current building of the cathedral was consecrated on November 5, 1069 by Bishop Attono I.

Perhaps some elements of the crypt are preserved from the two previous churches. In the XIV century, the first three floors of the bell tower were built. In 1498, Antonio da Lodi added the top floor of the bell tower and spire.

The first large-scale reconstruction of the cathedral was carried out by Archbishop Matteo Semignato. It was followed by others, in particular due to devastating earthquakes in the region (for example, in 1703 ). Under the archbishops of Francesco Branch (1769) and Luigi Ruffo Scilla (1881) the church acquired light forms of the late Baroque, primarily in the interior.

Between 1920 and 1936, the cathedral underwent a major reconstruction again under the project of Guido Chirilli , which became an attempt to return to it medieval forms. In particular, the facade and walls of the temple were decorated in the likeness of the apse, which retained its medieval appearance. The temple has become one of the vivid examples of Romanesque architecture on the southern coast of the Adriatic Sea. As a result of the reconstruction, the side entrance was removed, the staircase and portico were returned, a new portal with a tangential entrance was erected, the new transept facade, the church building and the bell tower were framed in a marble pedestal, the bell tower spire that fell during the 1703 earthquake was restored. In the 1970s, the destruction of the interior of the crypt in the Baroque style did not bring the expected results; only a few traces of medieval frescoes were discovered.

Despite the restructuring, the cathedral is still a basilica with three naves separated by pilasters. The transept is on a par with the naves, the presbytery rises above the crypt , the naves end with three apses , two of which are asymmetric. On the left side of the temple is the chapel of the Holy Gifts . On the right side of the temple is a small niche with a font .

The side naves are covered with domes (there are three monophores in the right nave); central nave with powerful pilasters with a square marble base , supporting a vault with lunettes , decorated with scenes from scenes from the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Justin from Chieti . In the transept are two richly decorated altars and two chapels. Above the transept is a large round dome with eight dormers.

In the depths of the presbytery are the choirs , the throne of the archbishop , the monumental main altar and a small but refined altar, covered with a hemispherical dome, on the sides of which are two large windows illuminating the entire apse zone.

The side entrances of the transept and presbytery are on two different levels of the stairs; the central nave is framed by a thin balustrade and is crossed by a staircase leading to the crypt. A wooden pulpit rises above the balustrade.

Chapel of St. Gaetan of Thien is located on the right side of the transept and is dedicated to the saint from the province of Vicenza , but closely connected with the city of Chieti , where, together with the local bishop Gian Pietro Carafa (future Pope Paul IV), in 1524 he founded the Congregation of Regular Clerics of Theatines .

The marble altar of 1738 is framed by two columns supporting the pediment in the center of which angels are depicted. The altarpiece also dates back to 1738. It depicts the appearance of the Mother of God with the Mother of God in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome on Christmas Eve 1517 . Painting by Ludovico De Mayo from Naples painted in Baroque style. In the transept vault there is a picture depicting the orders of the Camillians, Karacholians and Theatines, whose appearance is more or less connected with the city of Chieti. A 19th-century painting by Del Zoppo.

The Chapel of Our Lady of Chieti ( Italian: Mater populi teatini ) is located on a small elevation on the right side of the transept. There are two paintings in it, a marble altar and a niche with a wooden statue of the Renaissance era “Our Lady with the Baby Jesus”. Altar of 1695 with the painting "St. Justin of Chieti in papal vestments." Two more paintings, with images of martyrs, are located on the sides of the chapel: on the left is “St. John of Nepomuk” painted by Nikola Ranieri, on the right “Domitian and Legonzian from Chieti” painted by an unknown artist.

On the left side of the transept is the chapel of St. Justin from Chieti, whose relics are in the crypt. Initially, the chapel was also in the crypt. Despite the precautions, the bronze bust of St. Justin by Nicola da Guardiagrele , a master of the 15th century, was abducted from the temple in 1983. The paintings on the sides of the chapel, decorated with marble, depict scenes from the life of St. Nicholas in Bari: on the left is a canvas of 1900, signed by Marciani; on the right is a 16th-century canvas by an unknown author.

The Chapel of the Immaculate Conception is on the left side of the transept. Here is a marble altar framed by four columns supporting two tympans. Two plaster statues on both sides, the work of Giuseppe Mambrini, depict allegories of virtues - stamina and softness. The altarpiece of 1759 by Saverio Persico with the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception and the “conversations” of Saints Nicholas from Bari and Yanuari from Naples .

The Chapel of the Holy Gifts in the left nave reproduces the shape of a small chapel of the Holy Gifts in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome . On the dividing nave balustrade, two paintings depicting the Virgin; To the right of the entrance is the image of the Madonna dei Miracoli (Our Lady of the Miracle Worker) from Casalbordino. At the end of the chapel is the altar of the Holy Gifts, covered with gilding, with two angels. In the middle of the altar is the image of the “Triumph of the Eucharist” by Francesco Grandi. The painting was painted in the style of neo-classicism in 1890.

The grandiose main altar made of marble with wood accents is one of the masterpieces of the Baroque style. Here is the painting “The Calling of St. Justin to the Department” by Giuseppe Sanmartino , whose authorship, however, is disputed by some experts.

The crypt, cleansed of baroque elements, returned the Romanesque appearance. The crypt arches are based on columns with capitals, made in different eras and in different styles. Here are preserved fragments of frescoes. The frescoes of the early 15th century in the chapel located to the left of the main altar of the crypt are considered the most ancient. Here is the oldest image of St. Justin from Chieti. In the right chapel, the frescoes of the last quarter of the 15th century separated from the wall are “Crucifixion” and “Mourning of Christ” of the last quarter of the 15th century. In the crypt are the tombs of the bishops of Chieti.

• St. Justin's Cathedral in Chieti

• Chieti
• St. Joseph's Cathedral (Vasto)
• Archdiocese of Chieti Vasto