Duomo di Spoleto

Spoleto's majestic cathedral rests at the bottom of the sloped Piazza del Duomo, so descending the ramped stairs puts the structure front and center of all attention. Surrounding it are other important buildings: The Palazzo della Signoria, Palazzo Rancani, and the Teatro Caio Melisso.

The Romanesque church dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta was constructed in the 12th century. It has three orders to the facade. The lower arcade portico was added during the Renaissance period, in 1492. The upper levels with eight rose windows are intricately carved; the number eight in the Bible represents regeneration. The largest rose window is particularly ornate and accompanied by carvings that represent the four evangelists. There is a Byzantine-style mosaic, as well. Lace-like stone work outlines the upper peak of the facade. Flanking the church is the imposing bell tower, built from stones excavated from old Roman structures, so look carefully and you can see some ancient inscriptions.

The interior was redecorated in the Baroque period, but the ground-breaking Renaissance artwork remains. In a niche is a bust of Pope Urban VII by Bernini. One of the side chapels of the apse has a painting by Pinturicchio of the Madonna and saints. In the transept, the Madonna with child and saints by Carracci, and the tomb of Filippo Lippi who died here in 1469. His masterpieces in the apse remain as his last and most impressive works. The frescoes portraying the life of Mary are brilliant, vibrant and stunning. There is lavish use of lapis lazuli. In the annunciation, a perfectly Renaissance constructed scene, while the angel has nearly transparent wings. The face of Mary was the painter's mistress, Lucrezia Buti, the mother of his son. The decorative frieze above the loggia in the painting depicts the decoration in Spoleto's Roman themple. In the Death of the Virgin, he painted his self portrait as a monk, with his assistants behind him and his young son in front of him (an angel). The cycle of frescoes is an impressive work of art.

Don't miss the ornate wood-carved Reliquary chapel, where a letter written by St. Francis himself is preserved.