Duomo di Casertavecchia, Romanesque cathedral in Casertavecchia, Italy
Duomo di Casertavecchia is a Romanesque cathedral perched on a hilltop at 401 meters elevation, built from grey tuff stone with three marble portals. An octagonal bell tower crowns the structure and completes its harmonious composition.
Construction began in 1113 under Bishop Rainulfo and was completed in 1142, reflecting Norman dominion over the region. The project marked the consolidation of ecclesiastical authority during the medieval period.
The interior displays marble columns salvaged from Roman structures and white portals from Luni, adorned with carvings of plants and animals. These reused materials connect the building to the classical past and reflect local craftsmanship.
This church remains an active place of worship with regular services that offer insight into how the community uses the space. Guided tours explain the architectural features and the origins of the building materials.
Local folklore tells of mountain fairies who transported the massive Roman columns from the plains to the hilltop. This tale reveals how people made sense of the remarkable building materials used in construction.
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