cattedrale

Cattedrale is the term used for the principal church of a diocese, in which the bishop's cathedra, or teaching chair, is located. The word derives from the Latin cathedra, meaning chair or seat.

It serves as the central church of the diocese and the site of major episcopal liturgies. A church becomes a cathedral when it houses the bishop's seat; the designation can be revoked if the see is moved or renamed. Not all large or historic churches are cathedrals.

Cathedrals typically feature a nave leading to the choir and liturgical east end, and may include transepts, an apse, chapels, and a cloister or crypt. The architectural style varies (Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, etc.). The cathedra is a symbolic element, representing the bishop's authority.

Most cathedrals originated in late antiquity or the Middle Ages, and many underwent later renovations. They are often centers of art, pilgrimage, and civic life. Notable examples include Notre-Dame in Paris, the Duomo di Milano in Milan, and the Catedral Metropolitana in Mexico City.