Home

Cattedrali

Cattedrali (singolare cattedrale) are the principal churches of Christian dioceses, housing the cathedra, the bishop's ceremonial seat. The term derives from Latin cathedra, meaning chair or throne, and signifies the church's role as the diocesan seat.

In Catholic and Anglican practice, a cathedral is the church that contains the bishop's seat and serves

Architecturally, cathedrals display a wide range of styles, reflecting historical periods and regional traditions. Common elements

Notable examples include the Duomo di Milano, Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, and the Basilica di

as
the
central
church
of
a
diocese.
Cathedrals
host
major
diocesan
liturgies,
ordinations,
and
other
official
ceremonies.
Not
all
large
or
famous
churches
are
cathedrals;
the
defining
feature
is
episcopal
jurisdiction
and
the
presence
of
the
cathedra.
include
a
cruciform
plan
with
a
nave
and
aisles,
a
transept,
a
choir
and
main
altar,
and
an
apse.
Many
have
a
prominent
façade
and
a
campanile
or
dome,
and
interiors
often
house
chapels,
tombs,
and
artworks.
Structural
systems
vary
from
groin
vaults
and
rib
vaults
to
flying
buttresses.
San
Petronio
in
Bologna
in
Italy;
Notre-Dame
de
Paris
in
France;
and
Canterbury
Cathedral
in
England.
Across
Europe
and
beyond,
cathedrals
have
served
as
centers
of
worship,
art,
learning,
and
city
identity,
and
remain
active
places
of
worship
as
well
as
important
heritage
monuments.