St. Lawrence Cathedral

St. Lawrence Cathedral

St. Lawrence Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church in Genoa, Italy, and the cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Genoa. The church was likely founded in the 5th or 6th century and was originally dedicated to Saint Syrus, the Bishop of Genoa. Beneath the current pavement and in the area in front of the present façade, excavations have uncovered ancient Roman walls and pavements, as well as pre-Christian sarcophagi, suggesting that the site was once a cemetery. Later, a church dedicated to the Twelve Apostles was built, which was then replaced by a new Romanesque cathedral dedicated to St. Lawrence, funded by the successful ventures of the Genoese fleet in the Levant.

The construction of St. Lawrence Cathedral spurred urban development in the area. In 1155, city walls were built, and the three ancient urban cores (castrum, civitas, and burgus) merged to form the city center. Throughout the Middle Ages, before other squares were established, this square served as the city’s only public space. The church was consecrated in 1118 by Pope Gelasius II. It was elevated to the status of a metropolitan cathedral starting in 1133. After a fire in 1296, and amid the conflicts between the Guelphs and Ghibellines, parts of the building were restored and others rebuilt. The façade was completed between 1307 and 1312, and the interior colonnade was reconstructed. The Romanesque structure remained intact, with religious frescoes added.

During the 14th and 15th centuries, numerous altars and chapels were added to St. Lawrence Cathedral. The small loggia on the northeast tower of the façade was built in 1455; the opposing loggia is in the Mannerist style and dates from 1522. In 1550, the Perugian architect Galeazzo Alessi was commissioned by the city magistrates to plan the complete reconstruction of the building; however, he only managed to complete the roof, pavement, dome, and apse of the nave and aisles. The construction of the cathedral was finalized in the 17th century, and the dome along with the medieval sections were restored between 1894 and 1900.

Cathedral of Saint Lawrence

Must-visit reason: The most important church in Genoa

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Italy[Italy]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Liguria Region [Liguria Region]

City where the attraction is located: Genoa [Genoa]