Mixing It in Parma

 On first sight, Santa Croce, Parma, does not look like it is a church worth visiting, the time worn plain brick facade just hints at an ordinary church of little artistic merit. 

Santa Croce, Parma

But entering this little church reveals a curious mix of Romanesque carved capitals, alongside colourful Baroque decoration. Like a lot of these buildings, this church, consecrated in 1222, was heavily modified in 1663, after part of the roof collapsed. The dome was constructed and the church was shortened. Also a spectacular side chapel was added. In 1904, the facade was remodelled in the Romanesque style.

The church gets its name from a relic, in this case a fragment of wood from the crucifixion cross. In the nave our eyes are drawn to the primitive capitals, with a wonderful Centaur with bow and arrow, twin tailed mermaids and other medieval beasts and personalities.

Santa Croce, Parma

  

Santa Croce, Parma. The altar contains the relic.

Santa Croce, Parma

Santa Croce, Parma

Santa Croce, Parma

Santa Croce, Parma

Santa Croce, Parma

Santa Croce, Parma

Santa Croce, Parma

Santa Croce, Parma

The Cappella di San Giuseppe that juts out from the main church is a riot of colour, covered entirety with colourful frescoes and an altar depicting the Holy family.

(Update 10/1/24. I reshot the Capella with a much wider lens)

Santa Croce, Parma

Santa Croce, Parma

Santa Croce, Parma

Santa Croce, Parma

Santa Croce, Parma

Santa Croce, Parma

Santa Croce, Parma

Santa Croce, Parma

Romanesque meets Gothic in Parma

The Duomo di Parma, is one of the four major Romanesque cathedrals that line the Via Emilia from Piacenza to Modena. Like the others  it has been altered over time, and perhaps the sixteenth century frescoes remove a lot of the medieval atmosphere. The famous Baptistry, is a junction between Romanesque and Gothic.

 

Duomo di Parma

Duomo di Parma,

Duomo di Parma,

Duomo di Parma,

Duomo di Parma, Cupola by Coreggio

Duomo di Parma,

Duomo di Parma,

The most important artist who worked here in the medieval period was Benedetto Antelami whose "Deposizione" is an early precursor of Gothic sculpture. Just a fragment survives of a much larger work.

Benedetto Antelami's Deposizione, Duomo di Parma

Benedetto Antelami's Deposizione, Duomo di Parma

Benedetto Antelami's Deposizione, Duomo di Parma

Benedetto Antelami's Deposizione, Duomo di Parma

Benedetto Antelami's Deposizione, Duomo di Parma

Benedetto Antelami's Deposizione, Duomo di Parma

Benedetto Antelami's Deposizione, Duomo di Parma

Benedetto Antelami is also present in the Baptistry with his "months" cycle of sculptures, which show the activities typical for each month in his agricultural society. 

Battistero, Parma

Battistero, Parma

Battistero, Parma

Battistero, Parma

Battistero, Parma

Benedetto Antelami's "Months", Battistero, Parma

Benedetto Antelami's "Months", Battistero, Parma

Benedetto Antelami's "Months", Battistero, Parma

Benedetto Antelami's "Months", Battistero, Parma

Benedetto Antelami's "Months", Battistero, Parma

Benedetto Antelami's "Months", Battistero, Parma

Benedetto Antelami's "Months", Battistero, Parma

Benedetto Antelami's "Months", Battistero, Parma

Benedetto Antelami's "Months", Battistero, Parma

Benedetto Antelami's "Months", Battistero, Parma

Benedetto Antelami's "Months", Battistero, Parma

Benedetto Antelami's "Months", Battistero, Parma