Cathedral of Sant'Emidio

History of the Cathedral of Sant'Emidio in Ascoli Piceno

The first church dates from the 4th or 5th century and was built over a Roman building. The oldest parts of the present cathedral, such as the transept, use the remains of the civil basilica of the Roman forum. In the 11th century, under Bishop Bernardo II, the church took on its Romanesque layout and the crypt was built for the relics of Sant'Emidio. On that occasion the dedication to the Virgin was extended to the saint as well.

On January 2, 1481 the contract was signed to demolish the medieval facade and enlarge the church to three naves. The new facade was built between 1529 and 1539 to a design by Cola dell'Amatrice, that is, Nicola Filotesio. At the end of the 19th century Giuseppe Sacconi uncovered the entrance to the crypt from the central nave. The vaults and the dome were frescoed between 1884 and 1894.

What to see in the Cathedral of Sant'Emidio

The Cappella del Sacramento (Chapel of the Sacrament) holds Carlo Crivelli's polyptych of 1473. It has 21 figures on three tiers and a gilded frame in late Gothic taste, and it is still in its original position. It was restored after the 2016 earthquake. The same chapel has a precious silver altar frontal, a piece of medieval goldsmith's work.

The hall is 70 meters long and 30 wide. It has a Latin cross plan and three naves, divided by six octagonal pillars. One of the two rooms at the base of the bell towers holds the arm reliquary of Sant'Emidio, the work of the Ascoli goldsmith Pietro Vannini. The crypt has many columns and is decorated with mosaics by Pietro Gaudenzi, made after World War II.

Outside, the Porta della Musa on the left side has wooden doors signed by Francesco di Giovanni. This side faces the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Ascoli Piceno.

How to visit the Cathedral of Sant'Emidio

A visit includes the nave, the Cappella del Sacramento and the crypt. Two staircases in the side aisles lead down to the crypt. The 2016 earthquake made safety and restoration work necessary, so it is worth checking in advance which parts are accessible. Mass times are given in the box on this page.

Where the Cathedral of Sant'Emidio is

The cathedral is in Piazza Arringo, in the center of Ascoli Piceno.

Near the Cathedral of Sant'Emidio in Ascoli Piceno

Next to the cathedral are the Palazzo dell'Arengo and the baptistery. To continue the visit, the page things to do in Ascoli Piceno lists the other stops in the city.