Lodi, Cathedral

The cathedral of Lodi grew with the city. After the destruction of Laus Pompeia (Old Lodi) by the Milanese in 1158, New Lodi was immediately born through the will of the population and of Frederick I of Swabia, called ‘Barbarossa’. At the top of the Eghezzone Hills and on the right bank of the river Adda the new city with its cathedral arose.
Among the largest cathedrals in Lombardy, it is in Romanesque style. Started in 1160 and finished in the 16th century, it was completely restored between 1958 and 1965 by the architect Degani.
We note in the tiled facade (asymmetrical due to the presence of the bell-tower) the protiro porch from the 13th century with lion supports, the majestic portal with two sculptures representing "Adam and Eve" and two Renaissance windows.
Above, in the rose window, there is a niche containing the statue of the patron saint, San Bassiano. This is a bronze copy of the original in gold-embossed copper, which is on the 3rd pillar on the left in the interior of the church.
The interior has three naves with an alternating system: for each span of the main nave, there are two in the side naves.
In the side chapels there are important frescos, some of which are dedicated to the Madonna.
In the presbytery the 11 wooden inlays are worthy of note. They were made in 1523 by Giovanni da Verona, and currently stand in the choir, and represent still lives, ideal cities in architecural corner-pieces, in the style of Brunellesco, recalling some more famous examples, and documenting the high level reached in this kind of work.
At the entrance of the crypt there is a bas-relief representing the Last Supper, perhaps originally from Old Lodi and perhaps preceding the construction of the church itself.
In the crypt the relics of Saint Bassiano are kept.
From the Cathedral there is also access to the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art, in which there is a collection of liturgical objects, paintings and frescos, textiles and sculptures, from the Cathedral, the Bishopric and other parishes in the territory. Among these, there are valuable works of Renaissance textiles and precious metal work, which used to form part of the treasure of the Cathedral, called the treasure of Saint Bassiano".