Modena is a lovely medieval town in northern Italy.
Modena is today known for Luciano Pavarotti, Italian sports cars (especially Ferrari) and balsamic vinegar, among other things.
We visited Modena recently and enjoyed viewing the Duomo and the Torre della Ghirlandina. Together with an adjacent piazza, they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Duomo of Modena: Modena's cathedral, the Cattedrale Metropolitana di Santa Maria Assunta e San Geminiano, was built during 1099-1184 in the Romanesque style. It was later updated with Gothic architectural features.
Modena's patron saint, Saint Geminianus (also known as San Gimignano), was a Bishop of Modena during the 300's and his remains are buried in the crypt. The legend is Saint Geminianus saved the town by conjuring a dense fog that hid the town from an invading army.
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| At one of the cathedral's entrances, a lion guards the door while protecting a lamb. |
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| The nave of the cathedral |
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| A gold crucifux |
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| The raised choir, with gold mosaics |
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| The crypt underneath the choir, with the relics of Saint Geminianus |
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| The rose window above the main entrance |
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| A marble baptismal font |
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| A side altar |
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| The view from the pulpit |
The Torre della Ghirlandina:
While touring Modena, we passed a courtyard with an open gate. We strolled in and noticed a beautiful mural, a replica of the painting St. Michael the Archangel (trampling Lucifer) by Guido Reni (1636).
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