Chiostro del Duomo di Bressanone
The Chiostro del Duomo di Bressanone is a cloister built in Romanesque style with twenty arches surrounding a small garden. Fifteen of these arches display frescoes from the late 14th and 15th centuries, some created by artists including Leonardo da Bressanone and masters from Brunico, depicting biblical and sacred scenes.
The cloister was built in the 10th century and was reshaped in the 14th century with Gothic vaults. It served as a burial ground for cathedral clergy and was damaged by fires on several occasions, yet was restored each time and continues to stand as a link to the past.
The cloister was originally a burial place for cathedral clergy, with tombstones now lining the walls. The frescoes depict biblical stories like the life and passion of Christ, as well as saints and the Virgin Mary, painted over centuries by different artists reflecting the spiritual needs of the community.
The cloister is open year-round from early morning until evening and can be freely entered at no cost. Access is from the main square of Bressanone, making it easy to combine a walk here with visits to nearby shops or cafes in the town center.
One of the arches displays a remarkable painting of an elephant created by an artist who likely had never seen the animal. Portrayed as a large gray horse, it symbolizes a biblical story where Eleazar slays an invincible elephant, a deed understood in medieval times as a parallel to Christ's death.
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