One of the most important examples of Romanesque architecture in Italy, the Basilica of San Michele Maggiore, in Pavia, is a masterpiece.
Imperial church built in the first decades of the 12th century on a pre-existing Longobard one, the Basilica was the seat of the coronations of the emperors of the Italian Kingdom, in the period in which Pavia was its capital and here, among others, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa was crowned in 1155.
It is commonly called "Milano Gate", in Pavia, and it consists of two identical buildings, located on both sides of the road that connects the city to Milan, near the old walls. They are masonry buildings covered in exposed stone with, in the centre, a pedestrian passage, surmounted both at the entrance and at the exit by a stone shelf with the city coat of arms.
On the top of each toll booth there is a stone sculpture, depicting one of the two rivers of Pavia, the Po and the Ticino rivers, personified in a figure of a man in a supine position.
St Michael Church, Pavia, dated 1130 AD.
Part of the incredible heritage in the church is a bas relief set above one to the two entrance to the Crypt. It is carved in the local sandstone, the same of facades and interiors. It represents two angels which support a central round frame, inside which it is carved a Lamb, representing Christian Faith (Agnus Dei). The whole scene is inserted into a frame whose section is a “S” with insertion of flower decorations.
At the beginning of February, we have started conservation works at Pavia Duomo, 6 chapels set in the main transect of the church. A patient work will occupy us for several months in order to restore the marble surfaces of chapels, altars, paintings and frescoes on the upper part of chapels.
Pavia Duomo is the third cupola in Italy for dimensions, designed by Bramante, same architect who work in Saint Peter in Rome. We are proud to work in such a prestigious place, with more than 500 years of history. We will update soon to tell the story of our activity here!
Set in Broni, south of Pavia city, is the Basilica of San Contardo, a huge Church designed by Bramante Architect.
The celebrations the saint, this year, were also a moment to celebrate the restored shrine of the saint.
REA oversaw the restoration of the altar in polychrome marble, a beautiful part of the multidisciplinary team that worked together, under the direction of architect Angela Ferraresi.