History of the Church
As well as being of significant
architectural importance, the Cathedral of S. Rufino has also been
important throughout the history of the Franciscan movement. It was
in the previous church that St. Francis preached for the first time. In
the same building Clare met Bishop Guido who presented her with the
blessed olive branch on Palm Sunday. A series of other buildings once
stood on the site of the present Cathedral. Building work started in 1140,
on instructions from Giovanni da Gubbio. |
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The
facade
The
Romanesque facade is one of the loveliest examples of the architectural
style that abounded in the twelfth century in churches in Umbria and
Abruzzo. The facade is composed of three sections, the first two of which
are divided by vertical pilasters that give the church its soaring
appearance. The lowest section has staggered squares that become
increasingly broader towards the small arches that mark off the central
area. The three portals are extensively decorated and greatly reflect the
influence of the times. The arch above the main portal is filled with
floral motifs interspersed with powerful scenes depicting saints. Christ on
a throne is depicted in the circle in the lunette. On the left – also on a
throne – is Mary with Jesus at her breast, while St. Rufinus is portrayed
on the right. There are two lions at the base of the main entrance. Instead,
there are griffins at the sides of the secondary portals (the left-hand one
is usually used as the entrance to the church). Alternating inside the
circles are floral motifs and symbolic animals. In the middle area of the
facade, over the small and elegant colonnade there are three breathtaking
rose windows. The middle rose window looks as if it were sustained by
three telamones resting on animals, while in the corners of an imaginary
square there are four sculptures symbolising the Evangelists. The upper part
of the facade, which is triangular, has a Gothic arch that was added later
and that undoubtedly was to support a frieze that was never completed. Also
worthy of note is the lovely bell tower, with a square base resting on a
Roman well. Under the bell tower, there is a structure that several scholars
have identified as the home of St. Clare. |
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Enter
the Basilica
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