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Barga is part of hidden Tuscany, a town with a view of the Apuan Alps in a region known as the Garfagnana, north of the town of Lucca. Barga is a medieval town ( about 6000 inhabitants) of Longobard origin but with a definite Florentine flavor. The town lies on a hilltop (elevation 410m, 1370 ft.) in the valley of the river Serchio, also known as Garfagnana. The region is famous for its Farro grain, the food of the ancient Roman legions. This is the only part of Tuscany featuring high mountains where eagles and other birds of prey still soar.

Ther are seven ancient churches within or just outside the town walls including the majestic Duomo begun before the year 1000, which features art work by the incomparable medieval painter/sculpturer Andrea Della Robbia, and a splendid pulpit attributed to the sculptor Guido Bigiarelli da Como. The cobblestone paved square (Arringo) in front of the Duomo is the best vantage point for viewing breathtaking sunsets. The churchs of Barga are particularly interesting to visit during the two feast of the town's two patron Saints S. Cristoforo (July 25) and S. Rocco (August 16) when they are decked with flowers and other decorations.

Duomo dedicato a San Cristoforo (cathedral) (11th-16th centuries), the main example of Romanesque architecture in the Serchio Valley. Of the original church, built in local limestone, parts of the façade remain. The interior has a nave and two aisles. It houses a large (3.5 m) wooden statue of St. Christopher, patron of the city.

The Cathedral of Barga, dedicated to Saint Christopher, is located on the top of a hill that dominates most of the Serchio valley with the Appennine mountains behind it and the majestic Apuan chain of mountains in front

The primitive construction dates back to before the

year 1.000 and further

modifications took place centuries

after until its completion

On the side door facing north there is a splendid architrave decorated with a bas-relief attributed to the Lucca artist, Biduino (12th c.)

Chiesa di San Salvatore, Lucca architrave by Biduino

The main entrance of

the cathedral features an overhanging arch carved

with acanthus leaves. The architrave is embellished with a bas-

relief, depicting a

grape harvest.

The main entrance of the cathedral

Lions symbolizing the strength of the

faith stand atop each of the two

columns flanking the entrance. The

facade is also adorned by a

double row of small arches carved with

human figures, animals, and other

decorations.

Stepping into the

dim interior the nave is a big open

space, broad and

long, paved in warm,

rose-brown marble,

with square pillars on each side supporting

graceful arches above.

The interior has a nave and two

aisles. It houses a large (3.5 m) wooden

statue of St. Christopher, patron of the

city.

The choir area is situated behind the altar. Above it is a niche holding a large wooden statue of St. Christopher, patron saint of Barga. The statue is believed to have been carved around the year 1000. Above it is an oval glass window from the 14th century showing the Holy Family similar in design to that in the Convent of St. Elizabeth in Barga and attributed to Lorenzo di Credi.

Main Altar

Il fonte battesimale

On each sides of the choir box are two chapels. The Holy Sacrament Chapel is on the left having at the centre of the Baroque altar a lovely painting by an unknown artist which besides depicting St. Joseph, St. Rocco and St. Anthony, shows Barga as it was in the 16th Century with its cathedral bell tower and battlements. Inserted in the painting there is a 13th Century painted panel representing the Madonna del Mulino (Our Lady of the Mill), also by an unknown artist. This painting was commissioned in 1527 by the people of Barga during a severe epidemic of cholera and has been carefully restored after being found badly neglected in the nearby Church of San Francesco.

On the wall above, next to the fresco depictung Santa Lucia, is a

painting of St. Christopher,

patron saint of Barga,attributed

to the painter Lucchese

Tofanelli (17th century).

Santa Lucia

Holy water stoups

Holy water stoups

crucifix made in the Giottoesque style by “The Master of Barga”

Madonna con Bambino fra San Sebastiano e San Rocco (attribuita alla Bottega del Buglione 1527-1528)

Tabernacolo Adorazione del Bambino attribuited to Andrea della Robbia (1490-1495)

Ciborio degli Olii Santiattribuited to Andrea della Robbia (1490-1495)

The inside of the church is composed of a nave and two aisles

supported by pillars and is divided into two parts by

large decorated

balustrades

Pluteus (The dividing wall)

In architecture pluteus mean

a massive balustrade

with rectangular

plates

The church has a

dividing wall made of shining

stone known as jasper, the

same stone used

to cover the walls of

the Cappella

dei Principi, in the

Church of San

Lorenzo in Florence.

Pluteo details

Pluteo details

Next to the right-hand pluteus, there’s the famous pulpit dating back to the second half of the 12th century attributed to Guido Bigarelli, known as Guido da Como,

The 13th Century marble pulpit is attributed to the Como school of Guido Bigarelli, and is the most precious work of art inside the Duomo. The symbolism of its sculpted figures is quite complex.

In the section on the right is the figure of the prophet Isaiah. In the front there is a representation of the Annunciation and the Birth of Christ with an inscription in Latin which explains the symbolism.

In the section on the right is the figure of the prophet Isaiah. In the front there is a representation of the Annunciation and the Birth of Christ with an inscription in Latin which explains the symbolism.

In the left section the Adoration of the Magi is depicted, but is blocked by a group of figures representing the four Evangelists. The human figure represents Mathew, the lion, Mark, the ox, Luke and the eagle, John.

The other human

figure on the left has

been interpreted in different

ways. Some

identify it as Joseph, others as

Moses and others still, as Aronne,

the first priest

chosen by God.

the back side of the pulpit Il Battista

Four marble columns hold up the rectangular case:

the two front columns rest on two marble lions, one of which is attacking a man lying beneath its mouth. A dwarf forms the base of another column.

The two lions at the base of the columns symbolise the triumph of Christianity over evil and heresy. The lion on the left has a serpent (evil) between its legs and the one on the right holds a man (heresy) who is stroking the lion with one hand while stabbing it with the other.

Sound: Roberto Alagna – Agnus Dei

Text and pictures: InternetCopyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foi oreanuşwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda