Cathedral Basilica of St. Cyriacus, Romanesque cathedral in Ancona, Italy.
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Cyriacus rises at the top of Guasco Hill and displays a Greek cross plan with a central dome and three naves. The facade is divided into three parts, and marble lions support the columns at the entrance, while the interior is shaped by arches and vaults.
The cathedral began to take shape from the year 1001 on the foundations of an earlier temple dedicated to Aphrodite. Later, Romanesque and Byzantine influences were integrated into the structure, which underwent several modifications over the centuries.
The interior holds a treasured Madonna painting that plays a special role for the seafarers and fishermen of the city. Believers come here to pray before the panel, which has been venerated over centuries as a protector of those who go to sea.
A wide stairway leads up from the city to the building, best reached on foot. The climb takes a few minutes and rewards with an open view over the harbor and the sea.
The portico rests on columns carried by stone lions, an uncommon solution for the area. These lions date from the 11th century and show a Romanesque sculpture tradition rare for the region.
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