Acqui Cathedral ( it, Duomo di Acqui, ''Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta'') is a Catholic cathedral in the city of Acqui Terme, in the province of Alessandria and the region of Piedmont, Italy. Dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, it is the seat of the Bishop of Acqui.

History and description

While the bishopric has been established since at least the 4th century, the present cathedral building was begun under bishop Primo (989-1018) and was consecrated in 1067 by bishop Guido. The ground plan is in the shape of a Latin cross, and there are five aisles (but until the 18th century, only three), terminating in three semi-circular apses. Of the Romanesque structure there still remain visible the apses, the transept, and the

crypt A crypt (from Latin ''crypta'' "vault") is a stone chamber beneath the floor of a church or other building. It typically contains coffins, sarcophagi, or religious relics. Originally, crypts were typically found below the main apse of a chur ...

, which underlies both the transept and the choir. The remainder has been subject to further work in later centuries. The terracotta bell tower was finished in 1479, and the bells moved from the old campanile.Porter, p. 18, with note 24. The main entrance in marble, by Giovanni Antonio Pilacorte, dates from 1481, and the

rose window Rose window is often used as a generic term applied to a circular window, but is especially used for those found in Gothic cathedrals and churches. The windows are divided into segments by stone mullions and tracery. The term ''rose window'' w ...

above it from around the same date, while the portico is 17th century. The interior was re-fitted in

Baroque The Baroque (, ; ) is a style of architecture, music, dance, painting, sculpture, poetry, and other arts that flourished in Europe from the early 17th century until the 1750s. In the territories of the Spanish and Portuguese empires including t ...

woodwork, and was decorated with frescos and stucco work from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Next door are the canons' cloisters of the late 15th century, and some Roman ruins.

Works of art

Bartolomé Bermejo - Retablo della vergine di Montserrat

The 19th century pulpit and the Baroque altar of Saint Guido in the transept are worthy of note. The most important work of art in the cathedral by far however is the triptych of the ''Madonna di Montserrat'', the

Annunciation The Annunciation (from Latin '), also referred to as the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Annunciation of Our Lady, or the Annunciation of the Lord, is the Christian celebration of the biblical tale of the announcement by the ange ...

to the Virgin of Montserrat, the work of the 15th century Spanish painter

Bartolomé Bermejo Bartolomé Bermejo ( 1440 – c.1501) was a Spanish painter who adopted Flemish painting techniques and conventions. Born in Cordoba, he is known for his work in the Crown of Aragon, including the Principality of Catalonia and the Kingdom of ...

, in the

chapter house A chapter house or chapterhouse is a building or room that is part of a cathedral, monastery or collegiate church in which meetings are held. When attached to a cathedral, the cathedral chapter meets there. In monasteries, the whole communi ...

Notes

Sources

* Crosetto A., (2001). ''Acqui Terme. Indagini archeologiche nella cripta della cattedrale (1991)''. "Quaderni della Soprintendenza Archeologica del Piemonte", 18. * *
Comune di Acqui: Monumenti

(article of 28 March 2004)
Diocese of Acqui
{{Coord, 44, 40, 27.17, N, 8, 28, 16.36, E, display=title Roman Catholic cathedrals in Italy Cathedrals in Piedmont Roman Catholic churches in Acqui Terme Romanesque architecture in Piedmont

History and description

Works of art

See also

Notes

Sources