Assisi Cathedral, Romanesque cathedral in Assisi, Italy.
The cathedral displays a magnificent stone facade with intricate geometric patterns, featuring three portals adorned with sculptural reliefs of lions, griffins, and religious symbols that create dynamic visual effects throughout the day.
Construction began in 1140 under architect Giovanni da Gubbio, making it the third church built on this sacred site to house the relics of Saint Rufinus, a 3rd-century bishop and martyr.
This cathedral served as the baptismal site for Saint Francis of Assisi in 1182 and Saint Clare in 1193, establishing its central role in the origins of the Franciscan movement.
The cathedral remains open for daily worship services and houses the Diocesan Museum, which displays medieval paintings, liturgical objects, and artifacts from the city's religious heritage since 1941.
The bell tower features a rare 24-hour Italian clock that ends each day at sunset, and its foundations rest upon an ancient Roman cistern discovered during archaeological investigations.
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