Volterra - Cathedral

Behind the Palazzo del Pópolo in Volterra is the Duomo Santa Maria Assunta (consecrated 1120), which was enlarged in Pisan style in 1254. The campanile, which commands extensive views, was rebuilt in 1493 after its collapse, but later, for greater stability, had the top story removed. The interior of the church, which is aisled, was remodeled in the 16th century, and in its present aspect is predominantly Renaissance. Notable among the works of art it contains are, on the inside of the entrance wall, a beautiful antependium (altar frontal) with eight panels from the Romanesque altar; in the first chapel in the right transept the Reliquary of Sant'Ottaviano by Raffaele Cioli (1522); in the choir, flanking the altar, two Angels bearing candelabra and, on the altar, a splendid marble ciborium, for reservation of the Eucharist, by Mino da Fiésole (15th century); between the seventh and eighth columns on the left an impresssive pulpit made in the 17th century from fragments of varying origin (12th century reliefs of Old and New Testament scenes); and in the Cappella dell'Addolorata (in the left-hand aisle) a colored terracotta group of Mary and Joseph with the Infant Jesus, in front of a background fresco by Benozzo Gozzoli depicting the arrival of the three kings, and opposite it is a polychrome terracotta group of the Adoration of the Kings.