Salorno
The Bolzano Cathedral: a Church Rich in History
The Bolzano Cathedral, also known as the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, is a very important place of worship for both the city and the diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone. Its history is very interesting and fascinating. During the restoration of the Cathedral in 1948, the remains of three other churches were discovered beneath its flooring, dating from the 4th to the 12th century. In this summary, we will take a look at the history of these three churches.
The Paleochristian Basilica: 4th century
The oldest church, dating back to the 4th century, was probably dedicated to St. Vigilius, since many churches in the area were dedicated to this saint. The building had a rectangular plan, divided into three rooms by dividing walls. The side walls of the church were equipped with eight buttresses. The basilica was built according to the Eastern construction typology, widespread in the Noricum and Aquileia areas. The western part of the basilica had an "atrium" where a baptismal font was perhaps located, and had a presbytery bench. Near the basilica, there was a small burial ground, attested by the tombstone of "Secundus Regontius". In the 6th-7th century, the basilica was renovated.
The Early Medieval Church: 8th century
Digging under the flooring, a slightly longer wall dating back to the Carolingian period was found. During this period, five fragments of wall paintings depicting faces turned to prayer were also found. This finding implies that after the barbarian invasions, the new Bolzano population permanently settled in the basin, thus constituting a small pre-urban village around the bridge over the Isarco river. This church, dating back to the 8th century, confirms the importance of the area as a passage point.
The First Medieval Church: 11th-12th century
The foundations of the Medieval Church were found beneath the flooring of the Bolzano Cathedral. This church had a very particular plan: it had only one row of columns, so it had two asymmetrical naves. The construction had a powerful tower with thick walls, perhaps to protect it from the frequent and violent floods of the Isarco. This church was in Romanesque architecture, as can be seen from the facade with two round arched windows on either side of the Gothic rosette, typical of the Romanesque style.
Conclusions
The Bolzano Cathedral is a true historical and architectural gem. The discovery of the three churches dating back to different periods was a great surprise for all experts. The construction of the churches was carried out according to different construction typologies that allow us to understand how important the city of Bolzano was in the past. The Bolzano Cathedral is an important place of worship for all believers and for enthusiasts of history and architecture.
