The most imposing building in the Piazza Walther in Bolzano is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. Highlights are the “wine door”, the Gothic portal and its unusually patterned roof. There is a Duomo Museum underneath the bell tower.
Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral Bolzano
Useful information
Address: Piazza Walther, 39100 – Bolzano. Phone: +39 0471 978676. Opening hours: From 08.00 till 18.00. Admission: Free. Tesoro del Duomo: The cathedral museum is closed during the Covid-crisis.
History and description
Bolzano‘s late Gothic cathedral is constructed on top of no fewer than three earlier churches. The first one was built in the 4th, the second one in the 8th and the Romanesque one in the 11th century. The present version was finished in 1420. The 65 meter tall bell tower was built in 1517. The last time the Duomo was restored was in 2008.
Its most striking aspects are the green and gold patterned roof, the portal and the rose window, which is placed a lot lower than usual, right above this portal. The second door is called the “wine door”, since it is here that the producers were allowed to sell their wines.
Since 2010, the number of bells in the tower is 25. Every Saturday and Sunday morning at 11 AM, the bells are made to play different melodies. A 15th century fresco underneath the tower is attributed to Giotto‘s pupils.
More frescoes from by Giotto‘s workplace can be seen inside the cathedral. They were painted in 1370 and used to cover the entire interior.
Other attractions include the Gothis interior, the colourful marble altar, which was made in 1720, and a Pietà dated 1424.
Cathedral Museum
The Museo del Duomo (“Cathedral Museum”) is located below the bell tower. Its collection consists of silver and gold liturgical objects, parchments and relics.