DUOMO SAN CRISTOFORO
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Cathedral dedicated to Saint Christopher, on the highest point of Barga's historic center
Dedicated to Saint Christopher, the cathedral stands on the highest point of the historical centre of Barga, and thus offers a beautiful panorama. A Romanesque jewel, which would look almost like a fortress, immortalized in the verses of Giovanni Pascoli (L'ora di Barga). Indeed, the poet lived for a long time in Castelvecchio, a village very close to Barga, from where he could hear the sound of the cathedral bells. Dating from the 9th century, the huge polychrome wooden statue of the city's patron saint (more than three metres high), located in the apse behind the main altar, served to frighten the enemy when it was transported to the walls, the neighbouring countries imagining that all the inhabitants were giants, just like the silhouette they saw.
Built around the year 1000, then enlarged in the 12th century, this duomo contains in particular finely decorated clams (12th-13th centuries) and altarpieces by Andrea della Robbia. Note the exceptional carved marble pulpit, attributed to Guido Bigarelli da Como around 1250, which rests on four red marble pillars, and where scenes of the Nativity of Christ are carved. Finally, the powerful crenellated bell tower of 1771, which rises proudly to the sky from the former atrium, is pierced with columnar bays. The sound of its three bells can be heard in most of Garfagnana. A word of advice, go there at noon to fully enjoy the carillon! Barga Cathedral is a masterpiece preserving more than a thousand years of faith history.
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