The Cathedral of San Ciriaco is the Cathedral of Ancona, located in a scenic position on top of Monte Guasco, formerly occupied by the acropolis of the ancient Greek city. SHORT HISTORY OF THE CATHEDRAL OF SAN CIRIACO In the 4th century BC, the Greeks from Syracuse who settled in the area erected on this site a temple dedicated to Aphrodite. The temple, whose foundations were discovered under the Cathedral, had a plan corresponding to the transept of the current church. In the 5th century AD, an early Christian basilica dedicated to San Lorenzo was built on the remains of the ancient temple. The Basilica of San Lorenzo had three naves, with an entrance towards the southeast, where the Chapel of the Crucifix is currently located. At the end of the 10th century, Ancona became a powerful maritime republic. On this occasion, the ancient church was enlarged between 996 and 1015, extending the three pre-existing naves to correspond to the entire current transept. In 1017, once the works were completed, the remains of the patron saints Marcellino and Ciriaco were transferred to the crypt inside the church, and the church became the Cathedral of Ancona. Important expansion works were Read more [...]
All Churches in Ancona
Italy has many churches, and all of them are beautiful and full of spectacular works of art. The main church of the city is referred as Il Duomo, but you will find churches that are named Basilica, Chiesa or Cattedrale, depending on their size and importance.
Some of the most beautiful churches in Italy are the Basilica di San Marco and the Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari in Venice, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Basilica di Santa Croce in Florence, the Basilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome, the Cathedral of the Nativity of Saint Mary and the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Orvieto and the Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore in Verona.
Church of San Domenico
The Church of San Domenico is a church in Ancona, located in Piazza del Plebiscito, in the historical center of the city. The church occupies one of the two short sides of the square, at the top of a large stairway. SHORT HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SAN DOMENICO For the construction of the current church, a pre-existing structure from the 13th century dedicated to the same saint was demolished. The Church of San Domenico was designed by Carlo Marchionni in 1763, and the first stone was laid in 1771. The structure was completed in 1778, without a facade. In 1798, with the French occupation and the advent of the Republic of Ancona, the church was used as a barracks. The upper part of the facade remained unfinished. During the bombings of the Second World War, the church was damaged and the roof partially collapsed. The venerated image of the Incoronata (Crowned), coming from the previous church and placed in a side chapel, was destroyed, as were two statues by Gioacchino Varlè and some paintings. After the war, the church was restored and the destroyed statues and paintings were replaced by others. The church was reopened for worship in 1948. Read more [...]