Sarzana Cathedral, Minor basilica and co-cathedral in Sarzana, Italy.
Sarzana Cathedral is a co-cathedral and minor basilica in the historic center of Sarzana, in the Liguria region, with a white marble facade and a Gothic rose window. Inside, a row of polygonal columns divides the space into a central nave and two side aisles that lead toward the altar at the far end.
The cathedral was founded in 1204 on the site of an older church called San Basilio, and it took shape gradually over the following two centuries. In the 1470s, sculptor Leonardo Riccomanni completed the upper facade, adding Gothic elements to the earlier Romanesque structure.
The Cross of Maestro Guglielmo, a 12th-century painted wooden cross, hangs inside and draws visitors who want to see medieval religious art up close. The side chapels were added over time by local families, showing how closely the cathedral was tied to the life of the town.
The cathedral stands on Piazza Niccolò V in the heart of Sarzana and is easy to reach on foot from anywhere in the old town. A visit pairs well with a walk through the nearby streets of the historic center, which open directly off the square.
The crenellated bell tower belonged to the old Pieve di San Basilio and is older than the cathedral itself. It is one of the few visible remains of the earlier building and still stands beside the church today.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
