Duomo - Ravello

The Duomo (Cathedral), renovated in 1786, was originally built in the 11th century at the request of Nicola Rufolo, owner of the adjacent Villa Rufolo. The Cathedral is dedicated to St. Pantaleone, the patron saint of the city.

Ravello Cathedral

The bronze embossed entrance door dates from 1179 and has 54 panels depicting scenes of the major mysteries of Christ’s life, death and resurrection, along with religious iconography such as arches, lions, griffins and symbolic figures that  narrate biblical tales. Within Italy, there remain approximately 20 of this type of door, most of which can be found in southern Italy. Other similar doors have been lost over the years for various reasons.

Chapel Dedicated to St Pantaleone

Within the Cathedral to the left of the altar is a small chapel dedicated to St. Pantaleone and at the back of which is a small passageway that leads to the Holy Relic of St. Pantaleone; a vial of his blood that becomes translucent every 27th July, the day of his martyrdom. The vial is placed behind glass and a metal grille.

Duomo - Ravello

Duomo - Ravello

The Cathedral contains two ornate pulpits (ambos). One, the Ambo of the Epistles, was built on the order of Constantino Rogadeo, second Bishop of Ravello and its mosaic scenes depict Jonah being swallowed by the whale. There is a similar ambos in the Cathedral of Salerno.

Duomo - Ravello

Duomo - Ravello

The second ambos is for the reading of the Gospels. It was donated by Nicola Rufolo and dates from 1272. This ambos is topped by an eagle whose claws rest on the book of John the Evangelist; ‘IN PRINCIPIO ERAT VERBUM’.

Duomo - Ravello

Beneath the Cathedral is the crypt which houses a museum that contains items from the Roman era, holy relics and other interesting items.

16 Comments CherryPie on Jan 19th 2018

16 Responses to “Duomo – Ravello”

  1. What a wonderful place to visit. I love the architecture of cathedrals. :)

  2. ....peter says:

    this is a very beautiful Cathedral and your presentation shows it off very well….peter:)

  3. Hels says:

    The medieval bronze embossed entrance door is handsome, the panels beautifully depicting scenes of the major mysteries of Christ and other biblical tales. In a time when many people could not read, pictorial panels and stained glass windows etc would have told the stories to everyone.

    But when the bronze door is closed, does it face the wooden door and is therefore blocked off? Or is the bronze door always left open, as in your very cool photo.

    • CherryPie says:

      Sadly from the outside of the Cathedral the lovely bronze door is covered by the wooden outer doors.

      Hopefully they open the wooden doors on special occasions so that the bronze doors can be viewed in their splendour.

  4. I love it when you give us a tour of place in GB and area. But I have one question..What denomination is it? If it matters.
    Coffee is on

  5. Astrid says:

    What an impressive door and I love the inside of the church. Nice and bright

  6. A really interesting post with lovely photos. It looks a beautiful cathedral to visit.

  7. The Yum List says:

    Those large doors are so impressive.

  8. shabana says:

    wow this is quite an old cathedral Cherie!

    hope renovation in 17th century did not change the main structure

    thank you for magnificent inside views and history about them my friend!