Historical and Commemorative Medals
Collection of Benjamin Weiss

DUOMO DI PISA

WIENER, Jacques: Italy, 1855, Bronze, 59 mm
Obv: View of exterior
Exergue:  DUOMO DI PISA
Rev: View of interior
Exergue:  FONDATO NEL 1063. CONSACRATO NEL 1119. ARCHIT: BUSCHETTO.
Signed:  J. WIENER
Ref: Van Hoydonck 123; Reinecke 48; Ross M247; BW575

Pisa is an archiepiscopal see of Tuscany, Italy. The cathedral, the baptistery, and famous leaning tower form a group by themselves . The cathedral and baptistry are built in black and white marble, a characteristic found in Pisan churches elsewhere. The architects of the cathedral were Buschetto and Rinaldo. The church is in the plan of a Latin cross. The nave has double vaulted aisles and the transepts a single aisle. At the intersection of the nave and transepts is a dome. The columns of the nave and side aisles are ancient. The west front is the finest part of the exterior: the range of arches running around the base is repeated by four open arcades. The  bronze doors (The San Ranieri Gate) were by Bonanno Pisano, the mosaics in the apse were designed by Cimabue, and the splendid decagonal pulpit is by Giovanni Pisano.

LINK to photo of  Bapistery, Cathedral and Leaning Tower of Pisa

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