143 Bologna, St Peter’s Cathedral. Baroque volumes.

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 143 Bologna, St Peter’s Cathedral. Baroque volumes.


As I was holidaying in Italy, I passed through Bologna, capital of the Emilia Romagna and seventh biggest city in Italy, for lunch with local friends. I got to see this cathedral.


Lots of marble and frescoes (notably an annunciation by Caracci) and a fine 16th century “Lament over the dead Christ” group sculpture (think balanced classicism). The baroque volumes are fab, and the crucified Christ has lots of blood spattered. There are ten side chapels, a fancyish confessional, and a seventeenth century baptismal font.  I really like those pulpits which hang  on the wall and are accessed by a hidden staircase, and this one is square to boot.

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