Description of the attraction
Livorno Cathedral is located in the large Piazza Grande. It was designed by the architect Alessandro Pieroni and built by Antonio Cantagallina. The construction of the cathedral dedicated to Saints Maria, Francesco and Julia was completed in 1606. In the 18th century, the church was expanded - two side chapels were added to it, giving the rectangular shape of the cathedral the shape of a Latin cross. Later, in 1817, a square bell tower was built according to the project of Gaspero Pampaloni. Unfortunately, the original building of the cathedral was completely destroyed during the bombing of Livorno in 1943. The reconstruction of the church began in 1952 according to old drawings and drawings.
Inside the cathedral there is a 15th century painting by Fra Angelico "Christ in the Crown of Thorns", as well as several other interesting paintings from the early 17th century by well-known Tuscan artists - "The Identity of St. Julia" by Jacopo Ligozzi, "Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary" by Domenico Cresty da Passignano, St. Francis of Assisi by Jacopo Chimenti da Empoli.
The cathedral once had six bells, which were cast in Prato in 1823. After the war, only five of them were found - all of them were in poor condition, so they were melted down and new bells were cast. Later, another old bell was added to them, and today the cathedral is adorned with six bells as before.
