SAN PAOLO A RIPA D'ARNO

'San Paolo a Ripa d'Arno' (St. Paul on Arno's bank) is a church in Pisa, Tuscany, Italy. It is one of the most outstanding Romanesque churches in Tuscany. The church is also locally known as ''Duomo vecchio'' (old cathedral).

Contents

The church

Sant'Agata Chapel

Gallery

References

External links

The church

The church was founded around 805 and was rebuilt in the 11th-12th centuries in a style similar to that of the Duomo, being reconsecrated by Pope Eugene II in 1148. The annexed Vallumbrosan convent is documented from 1147.
The exterior has bichrome marble bands which re-use Roman stones. The façade, designed in the 14th century by Giovanni Pisano, has two corps with pilaster strips, blind arches, marble intarsias and three orders of loggias in the upper section.
The interior is on the Latin cross plan with a nave and two aisles divided by columns in Elban granite, an apse and a dome on the crossing with the transept. It houses a 4th century Roman sarcophagus used as medieval tomb, a 13th century ''Crucifix'' on panel, frescoes by Buonamico Buffalmacco and a ''Madonna with Saints'' by Turino Vanni (14th century).

Sant'Agata Chapel

Behind the church is the St. Agatha Chapel, a small Romanesque chapel built around 1063 by the monks. It was connected to the church by edifices which have been demolished after World War II.
It is an octagonal structure in brickwork, featuring pilasters, arches including mullioned windows and an unusual pyramidal cusp. The interior houses remains of 12th century wall decorations.

Gallery

References

★ Pisa. Arte e storia, , Roberto, Donati, Plurigraf, ,

External links

★ [1] Page with details on decorations