I was in Piacenza for work, afterwards, I went to see a building on my Romanesque "hit list". Basilica di San Savino, from the outside, looks like just another suburban neo Baroque church of little interest. But inside there are some wonderful medieval mosaics, including a panel depicting a chess game. At some point in time the interior was brought back to the Romanesque condition. It has some nice column capitals too.
When I arrived, there was a funeral, so I went off and saw some other things in the city. But this turned out to be a lucky moment to photograph the the mosaics behind the altar, as the lighting was still on and when I asked the verger, who was clearing up, where the chess player mosaic was, he kindly removed the carpet that was covering it. and let me get close to them to take some pictures. The crypt was easier as lights turn on when you enter.
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
First, take a look at the Presbytery
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
Now down to the Crypt.
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
The church also has some lovely column capitals
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
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| San Saviano, Piacenza |
I also managed to fit in a visit to the Cathedral, a huge massive construction. The tradesmen who contributed to its construction are honoured with several little carvings on the columns depicting their trades.
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| Duomo Piacenza |
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| Duomo Piacenza |
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| Duomo Piacenza |
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| Duomo Piacenza |
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| Duomo Piacenza |
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| Duomo Piacenza |
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| Duomo Piacenza |
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| Duomo Piacenza |
The Crypt
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| Duomo Piacenza |
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| Duomo Piacenza |
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| Duomo Piacenza |
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| Duomo Piacenza |
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| Duomo Piacenza |
Basilica Sant’Antonino, was Piacenza's first cathedral. Much altered over the years, it has a lovely peaceful cloister. Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque are mixed in together in this church.
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| Basilica Sant’Antonino,Piacenza |
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| Basilica Sant’Antonino,Piacenza |
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Basilica Sant’Antonino,Piacenza
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Basilica Sant’Antonino,Piacenza
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Basilica Sant’Antonino,Piacenza
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Basilica Sant’Antonino,Piacenza
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Basilica Sant’Antonino,Piacenza
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Basilica Sant’Antonino,Piacenza
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I would like to go back to Piacenza to explore the Duomo and the city, a little bit more thoroughly as I am sure there is lots more to see in this town.
Fantastic photos; I like the details and the symmetry.
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