{"id":658,"date":"2022-10-05T13:17:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-05T13:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.museociviconepi.it\/en\/?post_type=monumento&p=658"},"modified":"2026-05-07T15:33:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T15:33:11","slug":"cathedral","status":"publish","type":"monumento","link":"https:\/\/www.museociviconepi.it\/en\/monuments\/cathedral\/","title":{"rendered":"The Cathedral"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ORIGINS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to local traditions the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta<\/strong> was built on a pagan temple<\/strong>. The building as it stands today is the result of a series of renovations ended in the last century. The first historical record of a Cathedral in Nepi dates back to the 5th century<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not possible to establish if this first Cathedral stood where the Dome is today. With the exception of few 9th century architectural elements the church preserves mainly 12th century elements such as the marvelous crypt<\/strong> and the lower part of the bell tower<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rectangular crypt<\/strong> is divided in 9 small naves separated by 24 columns and has three apses. The capitals are extremely fascinating with their unique vegetable and human and monstrous figures typical of the roman art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

THE STRUCTURE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An epigraph on a wall records the cathedral consecration in 1266<\/strong> by bishop Lorenzo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The three apses structure<\/strong> was renovated in the 17th century. In 1608 the central apse roof<\/strong> was renovated and in 1647 the porch. After 1680 the fourth apses was built.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1752<\/strong> the 5th apse was added as recorded by the epigraph written on the lateral entrance in Via Matteotti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cathedral endured serious damages during the fire in 1798 caused by french troops. All the wooden structures and the furnitures were destroyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE RECONSTRUCTION<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The reconstruction was wanted by Nepi\u2019s bishop Anselmo Basilici. It took place from 1818 to 1840<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The frescos<\/strong> decorating the inside were realized only after. Maria is the recurring figure of the frescos, whose life is represented in 12 scenes painted on the central nave<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the choir walls two frescos show the episcopal consecration of Saint Romano and his martyrdom<\/strong>. The paintings were realized by Domenico Torti and Ludovico De Mauro from 1868 to 1873.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In 1901 the paving was substituted. Originally the paving style was ccsmatesque, namely composed by polychrome marbles, as the remaining fragment under the portico shows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE HIGH ALTAR AND THE SANTISSIMO SALVATORE TRIPTYCH<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fra le opere di maggior pregio conservate all\u2019interno del Duomo vi \u00e8 la decorazione scultorea che riveste l\u2019altare maggiore<\/strong>. L\u2019opera, raffigurante San Romano disteso con Santa Savinilla nell\u2019atto di coprirlo con il velo sepolcrale, fu scolpita da Ercole Ferrata<\/strong>, allievo del Bernini, e collocata per la prima volta sopra l\u2019urna contenente le reliquie del santo nel 1680.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Altra composizione di notevole interesse \u00e8 il trittico del SS. Salvatore<\/strong> posto nella parte presbiteriale. Nel pannello centrale \u00e8 raffigurato il Salvatore ed in quelli laterali San Tolomeo, San Romano, l\u2019Angelo Gabriele e la Vergine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sculpture decoration of the high altar<\/strong> is the best preserved in the Cathedral. The work by Ercole Ferrara, Bernini\u2019s pupil, illustrates Saint Romano lying down with Saint Savinilla in the act of covering Jesus with the sepulchral veil. In 1680 the work was placed on the urne containing Saint Romano\u2019s relics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the presbytery we find the Triptych of \u201cSantissimo Salvatore\u201d<\/strong>. The central panel illustrated the savior while the two laterals depict Saint Romano, the angel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The local tradition attributes the work to the painter Giulio Romano<\/strong>, but some historians date it in the 16th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The wooden statue depicting the crucified Christ by Antonio Ispanico is placed in the chapel of \u201cSantissimo Crocifisso\u201d along the fifth nave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE SACRISTY<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The beautiful painted panels by Antonio del Massaro<\/strong> known as \u201cPastura\u201d depicting the Saints Tolomeo and Romano are placed in the sacristy, where is possible to admire also four small 17th century paintings by Mattia Preti illustrating the Saints apostles Pietro, Bartolomeo, Giuda, Taddeo and Matteo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The four portraits<\/strong> belonged to the cycle of apostles and were brought to Nepi by bishop Marcello Anania who was also the patron of the artist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next to the left entrance of the cathedral a plaque placed by his brother remembers the bishop\u2019s death in 25th April 1570.<\/p>\n\n\n\n