Ventimiglia Cathedral, Romanesque cathedral in Ventimiglia, Italy
Ventimiglia Cathedral is a Romanesque church featuring three naves, three apses, and a Gothic arch portal constructed over several centuries. The bell tower, built around 1150, later received Baroque additions to its upper sections.
This cathedral stands on the foundations of an ancient Roman temple dedicated to the goddess Juno. Its construction, spanning from the 11th to the 13th century, represents the gradual transformation of this sacred site from classical antiquity to the Middle Ages.
The portal columns display intricately carved animal motifs that reflect the skill of medieval stonemasons working in the region. Inside, religious artworks from different periods show how artists contributed their own styles and techniques over the centuries.
Visitors can observe the original foundations and remnants of earlier structures through glass sections in the crypt area beneath the main church. The right side of the building with its chapels offers different areas to explore, with features spread across multiple levels.
The central nave is supported by unusually tall arches that give the interior a vertical force rarely seen in other regional churches. This height was a deliberate design choice that makes the space feel grander than its actual dimensions might suggest.
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