Cathedral

The Cathedral, locally known as Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, is the most important Catholic place of worship in Rieti, Italy. It serves as the city’s duomo and the mother church of the eponymous diocese. The Cathedral is also honored with the title of minor basilica and is listed among the national monuments of Italy. With a rich history that dates back to the early centuries of Christianity, the Cathedral stands as a testament to the religious and cultural heritage of Rieti.

The Early Beginnings

The spread and establishment of Christianity in the Rieti area can be traced back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries. The existence of the Diocese of Rieti is first documented at the end of the 5th century. Although the exact date when the local Christian community built its first cathedral is unknown, the construction of the initial building dates back at least to the 6th century. The earliest mention of the Cathedral is from the year 598, when Bishop Chrysantus of Spoleto was instructed by Pope Gregory the Great to deposit the relics of martyrs Hermes, Hyacinth, and Maximus near the baptismal font of the Cathedral of Rieti.

The Medieval Reconstruction

During the 12th and 13th centuries, Rieti experienced a period of splendor and economic prosperity, often serving as a papal seat. Several popes, including Innocent III, Honorius III, Gregory IX, Nicholas IV, and Boniface VIII, resided in Rieti during this time. Consequently, the original early medieval building was completely reconstructed in a larger and more modern form.

The reconstruction work began on April 27, 1109, under the supervision of Bishop Benincasa. The crypt, or lower basilica, was the first part to be completed and was consecrated on September 1, 1157, by Bishop Dodone of Rieti. The main Cathedral was consecrated on September 9, 1225, by Pope Honorius III. In 1253, the bell tower, approximately 39 meters high, was erected by Lombard masters Pietro, Andrea, and Enrico.

The presence of the papal court in Rieti necessitated the construction of the Papal Palace, built between 1283 and 1288 next to the Cathedral. The Cathedral witnessed significant historical events, including the canonization mass of Saint Dominic by Pope Gregory IX on July 13, 1234, and the coronation of Charles II of Anjou as King of Puglia, Sicily, and Jerusalem by Pope Nicholas IV on May 29, 1289.

Baroque Additions

Originally built in the Romanesque style, the Cathedral underwent several modifications in the following centuries, especially in the interiors, which were transformed to reflect the Baroque style. In 1639, Cardinal Gianfrancesco Guidi di Bagno, Bishop of Rieti, framed the columns dividing the naves with large rectangular pilasters, connected them with five arches on each side, and covered the central nave's exposed beam ceiling with a vault.

In the 18th century, ten chapels were added, altering the Cathedral's external appearance. The October 1785 earthquake necessitated the demolition of the apse, which was rebuilt under the supervision of Bishop Saverio Ermenegildo Marini. Architect Tommaso Bicciagli designed the new apse and dome, constructed between 1794 and 1795. The high altar and presbytery were also redesigned, featuring a grand ciborium by Roman artist Alessandro Cartoni.

Restoration work continued in the following episcopacies, including the replacement of the canon choir stalls, the addition of faux marble decorations in the apse, and the frescoing of the apse walls by Pietro Paoletti in 1828. The Cathedral's flooring was redone in 1851 by architect Luigi Cleomene Petrini, replacing the 13th-century Cosmatesque pavement with marble tiles.

Partial Restoration to Romanesque

Between the 1920s and 1930s, substantial restoration efforts led by Francesco Palmegiani aimed to restore the Cathedral's original Romanesque appearance. The 18th-century window and plaster covering the stone masonry were removed from the facade, and the 17th-century frescoes in the lower basilica were destroyed.

Architectural Highlights

The Cathedral's facade, originally incomplete, was restored in the Romanesque style in the early 20th century. The upper part features a decoration with hanging arches and three slightly splayed single-lancet windows. The forecourt is covered by a portico, added in 1458, providing access to the Cathedral's three entrances, the baptistery, and the bell tower. The central portal, adorned with floral and zoomorphic motifs, is one of the Cathedral's most exquisite works.

The Romanesque bell tower, approximately 39 meters high, features two levels of paired mullioned windows opening onto the bell chamber. The portico also houses the tomb monument of Cardinal Angelo Capranica, who was instrumental in the portico's construction. The tower's interior wall features a faded fresco by Marcantonio Aquili, commemorating a miraculous event in 1459.

The Baptistery

The Baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte, adjacent to the Cathedral's southern side, is connected by the portico. The rectangular building features elegant cross vaults and four side niches, two of which are decorated with late 15th-century frescoes. The central marble baptismal font, adorned with Bishop Capranica's insignia and rich decorative elements, is a highlight. The Baptistery houses the Museum of the Cathedral's Treasure, part of the Diocesan Museum's exhibition route.

Inside, visitors can admire frescoes by Domenico Papa, a 15th-century marble baptismal font, a 13th-century fresco of Christ Blessing, and various statues and altarpieces from different periods.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Rieti is not just a place of worship; it is a historical monument that tells the story of the city's religious and cultural evolution. Its architectural grandeur and rich history make it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the heart of Italy.