Cathedral of Santa Maria Matricolare or Verona Duomo
Verona Duomo is an ornate romanesque cathedral dedicated to S. Maria Assunta. Its architect is actually quite complex as it include S. Giovanni in Fonte, S. Elena, the Canons'cloister, the Capitular library, the sqaure in front of the church and the bishop's residence.
During the Roman Empire, in the area of the present-day church, there were villas with private thermal baths (balnea) and probably also a few small temples.
The first palaeo-christian basilica was built on the area occupied today by the curch of S. Elena between 362-380 A.D. However it was considered too small and was replaced by a larger basilica. Unfortunately, this second palaeo-christian basilica was destroyed either due to fire or earthquake in 7th century. You can see a few remains of the mosaic floor of both paleo-christian basilicas under the church of S. Elena and the Canons'cloister.
Built in Romanesque style, Archdeacon Pacifico was in charge of the reconstruction of the church between 8th and 9th century. Although the church was greatly damaged by an earthquake in 1117 A.D. it was reconstructed for another 20 years to its current width and two romanesque porches. It was later consecrated on September 13, 1187.
Slightly below ground, you can find excavations of earlier "pagan" temple. The entrance is at the far left to the cloister and is generally missed by most people. At my time of visit, I had the whole excavation site to myself and the serene feeling was very much appreciated.
Some of the attactions in the excavation site include:
The Maffei Chapel
Architecture from the first years of the sixteenth century with rich decorations and frescoes dating to 1500, by the painter Giovanni Maria Falconetto.
St. Giovanni in Fonte
This 8th century church was built with recycled Roman masonry around 1123 A.D. Frescoes dating back to the 13th and 14th century are visible on the walls of the church and also a big cross, normally used during processione, attributed to Giovanni Badile (first half of the 15th century). The total restoration of the church has been completed in 2004.
The Church of St. Elena is dedicated to St. George and St. Zeno. Built in the 9th century A.D., it had to be renovated after the earthquake of 1117 in the romanesque style.
Opening hours
FROM MARCH TO OCTOBER:
Weekdays from 10.00 till 17.30
Weekends and holidays from 13.30 till 17.30
FROM NOVEMBER TO FEBRUARY:
Weekdays from 10.00 till 16.00
Weekends and holidays from 13.30 till 16.00
Visits are not allowed during mass or other religious ceremonies.
Admission fee applies. Different tickets are available for:
- the cathedral only
- the cathedral and the churches of San Zeno Maggiore, San Anastasia, San Lorenzo, San Fermo Maggiore
- the Cathedral and the Canonical Museum.
It is free with Verona Card
Source:
http://www.verona.com/it/guida-verona/chiesa-del-duomo-cattedrale/
http://www.verona.com/it/Guida-Verona/Chiesa-di-Sant-Elena-1/
http://www.cattedralediverona.it/index.html
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