The Modena Cathedral offers an elegant canvas onto which to watch the world go by in this enchanting northern Italian city. Commuters pedal past its weathered walls on bikes; a gentleman reads a newspaper on its stairs, made smooth from hundreds of years of wear; children ride sculpted lions, which appear to blush at times because of their pink marble composition; and a couple embraces.
It’s also enjoyable to change perspective and look at the bustling piazza and lively cafés while sitting atop the cathedral’s foundation. We did just that one sunny afternoon while enjoying a picnic of twisted breadsticks, Sicilian cheese, and Pesto Genovese — all procured from Modena’s nearby Albinelli Market.
The Romanesque cathedral’s construction began in 1099, but modifications continued until the 14th century. The product of this patient construction are stunning decorations that have stood the test of time. Today, they continue to tell biblical stories through imagery of saints, flora, fauna — even imaginary creatures.
Modena’s cathedral was designed by Lanfranco, and features work done by sculptor Wiligelmo. Since the cathedral took more than 200 years to complete, Lanfranco and Wiligelmo were succeeded by a series of other workmen. The cathedral was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1997. Inside, its crypt houses the remains of St. Geminianus, Modena’s patron saint.
Where in the World?
Planning Pointers:
- Determine opening hours and other details on the Modena Cathedral website.
- While in Modena, we spent 3 nights at the elegant, historic, and centrally-located Hotel Canalgrande. One of our favorite memories from Modena, in fact, was sitting out on our hotel room balcony just before sunset, looking out over Modena’s rooftops, while enjoying goodies that we’d procured at the Albinelli Market earlier in the day.
- Peruse the Emilia-Romagna Tourist Board and Modena websites for more details about Modena’s and the region’s rich offerings. The tourist board just recently released a free e-book that chronicles Emilia-Romagna’s Art Cities. I wish it’d been published when we were in the region, yet it’s since presented even more excuses to return to this stunning part of Italy.
- If you’d also like to “eat, feel and live local in Italy” as we did in Modena, check out the BlogVille project website.
- Need more inspiration? This link contains an index of all my posts from Italy.
Disclosure & Thanks:
Our Modena visit was supported by the Emilia-Romagna Tourist Board, to which we extend thanks.
An extra special thank you to Nick and Francesca for coordinating the details and making us feel so welcome in Emilia-Romagna.
Photography & text © Tricia A. Mitchell. All Rights Reserved.
Travels With Tricia 
Tricia, I do love these details – weathered, yet intricate. Romanesque has always been such an appealing style to me. I find the lions they carved to be almost from the Wizard of Oz with their luxuriant manes and downturned mouths. Truly beautiful photos. Are you and Shawn still in the area, or have you moved on? ~Terri
Terri, I hadn’t made that connection with the Wizard of Oz lion, but I absolutely agree! If I read the brochure correctly, the lion that Shawn’s petting was actually sculpted by the Romans, later unearthed, and ‘borrowed’ by the designers of this cathedral. Pretty fascinating!
As for us, I regret that I haven’t been able to keep up with all your adventures on Gallivance lately, or my site. It’s been a bit of a wild summer, and you know how it is setting up new ‘systems’ in your temporary home away from home. After Italy, we had a brief stop in Germany, then on to Serbia, then to Spain and France to visit Shawn’s parents, then back to Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia again, and now Bulgaria. Bulgaria is our home for at least the next few weeks and we’re loving living in a tiny village. Hopefully more on that soon.
Where does this weekend find you two?
Such amazing detail in the marble! I wonder if there was a grand plan of those intricate carvings before they started or if the craftsmen made it up as they went along?
Melinda, that’s an intriguing question. Considering that the construction of the cathedral took so long, there must have been some varying interpretations taking place. :) In a region that’s seismically-active, it’s also impressive that these churches have stood the test of time.
Tricia, thank you for sharing your well taken pictures of that beautiful cathedral.
Gerard, Modena has a plethora of wonderful architecture and history, and that’s why I couldn’t resist highlighting this grand cathedral. I’m glad you enjoyed the images. :)
ciao Tricia, i love the picture of kids on the lions of the Porta Regia.. you know, each kid in Modena has a picture on those lions:) it’s a tradition for us :)
Francesca, thanks for sharing that fun tidbit from Modena. As we people-watched by the duomo, it did seem that the lions are a favorite attraction for the children! I wonder how many kids have sat atop them over the centuries? :)
Another masterpiece, Tricia!
Italy is indeed full of architectural masterpieces, Mary Ann. Glad you enjoyed the peek into Modena’s cathedral. :)