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.
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.
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.
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.
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’.
Beneath the Cathedral is the crypt which houses a museum that contains items from the Roman era, holy relics and other interesting items.
Tags: Cathedral, Duomo, Italy, Ravello, Vacation
In memory of Umberto I, King of Italy, killed on July 29th, 1900.
Built in 1904 in Duomo Square, placed here in 1930.
Tags: English Heritage, Memorial, Monument, Ravello, Umberto I, Vacation
The Belvedere Principessa di Piemonte is a small, peaceful garden with trees, flowers and lawn. Belvedere means ‘beautiful view’ and it’s the perfect place to sit and enjoy a wonderful view of the Amalfi Coast. Named after the Belgian princess who married Prince Umberto, it’s a popular spot for wedding photographs.
Tags: Belvedere Principessa di Piemonte, Italy, Ravello, Vacation
God is Love: His plan for creation can be rooted only in love. Does not that simple thought, rather than erudite reasonings, offer solace to the human heart? Every Saint who has penetrated the core of reality has testified that a divine universal plan exists and that it is beautiful and full of joy.
Paramahansa Yogananda (Autobiography of a Yogi)
Tags: Cherie's Place Thought, God, Shropshire, Sunflower
St Angelo in ancient times, was built in a grotto and later expanded into a”Hospital” to host wanderers and pilgrims. Inside a canalization system used to direct water filtered from the rocks towards a circular well and a small holding tank. The Church is portrayed in a xylography by Mauritius Cornelius Escher.
Tags: Church, Italy, Madonna Dell'Ospedale, Ravello, Vacation
You might recall my recent post ‘The Strangeness of Cats‘ showing one of the cats that regularly visits my garden, albeit in a strange place on that occasion. The other cat that regularly visits my garden quite often sits in quite a different location in my garden.
This black and white cat is often sitting on the opposite side of the road meowing to me as I arrive home 
