Basilica of Sant'Abbondio
Encyclopedia
The Basilica of Sant'Abbondio is a church in Como
, Lombardy
, northern Italy
.
The current edifice rises over a pre-existing 5th century Palaeo-Christian church entitled to Sts. Peter
and Paul
, built by order of St. Amantius of Como, third bishop of the city. Erected c. 1 km outside the city's walls, it was intended to house several relics of the two saints which Amantius had brought from Rome.
The basilica acted as bishop's seat until 1007. Six years later bishop Alberic moved the seat within the walls. The basilica was then entrusted to the Benedictines who, between 1050 and 1095, rebuilt it in Romanesque
style. The new edifice was dedicated to Amantius' successor, Abundius
. The structures of the Palaeo-Christian church, discovered in 1863 during a restoration, are still marked by black and pale marble stones in the pavement.
The new basilica had a nave and four aisles. It was consecrated by pope Urban II on June 3, 1095.
The church has two notable belltowers rising at the end of the external aisles, in the middle of the nave. The sober façade, once preceded by a portico, has seven windows and a portal. Notable is the external decoration of the choir's windows. There are also Romanesque bas-reliefs and, in the apse, a notable cycle of mid-14th century frescoes. Under the high altar are the Abundius' relics.
The medieval monastery annexed to the church, recently restored, will act as the seat of the local faculty of Jurisprudence.
Como
Como is a city and comune in Lombardy, Italy.It is the administrative capital of the Province of Como....
, Lombardy
Lombardy
Lombardy is one of the 20 regions of Italy. The capital is Milan. One-sixth of Italy's population lives in Lombardy and about one fifth of Italy's GDP is produced in this region, making it the most populous and richest region in the country and one of the richest in the whole of Europe...
, northern Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
The current edifice rises over a pre-existing 5th century Palaeo-Christian church entitled to Sts. Peter
Saint Peter
Saint Peter or Simon Peter was an early Christian leader, who is featured prominently in the New Testament Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. The son of John or of Jonah and from the village of Bethsaida in the province of Galilee, his brother Andrew was also an apostle...
and Paul
Paul of Tarsus
Paul the Apostle , also known as Saul of Tarsus, is described in the Christian New Testament as one of the most influential early Christian missionaries, with the writings ascribed to him by the church forming a considerable portion of the New Testament...
, built by order of St. Amantius of Como, third bishop of the city. Erected c. 1 km outside the city's walls, it was intended to house several relics of the two saints which Amantius had brought from Rome.
The basilica acted as bishop's seat until 1007. Six years later bishop Alberic moved the seat within the walls. The basilica was then entrusted to the Benedictines who, between 1050 and 1095, rebuilt it in Romanesque
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
style. The new edifice was dedicated to Amantius' successor, Abundius
Abundius
Saint Abundius was a Bishop of Como, Northern Italy.He was born at Thessalonica. Around 448 Abundius became the fourth Bishop of Como, succeeding Amantius...
. The structures of the Palaeo-Christian church, discovered in 1863 during a restoration, are still marked by black and pale marble stones in the pavement.
The new basilica had a nave and four aisles. It was consecrated by pope Urban II on June 3, 1095.
The church has two notable belltowers rising at the end of the external aisles, in the middle of the nave. The sober façade, once preceded by a portico, has seven windows and a portal. Notable is the external decoration of the choir's windows. There are also Romanesque bas-reliefs and, in the apse, a notable cycle of mid-14th century frescoes. Under the high altar are the Abundius' relics.
The medieval monastery annexed to the church, recently restored, will act as the seat of the local faculty of Jurisprudence.