.The importance of the cathedral in the Middle Ages If you want to know something about cathedrals…why don’t you read this? Since the XIth century, an artistic development was witnessed in Europe. An ancient historian said: “A worldwide phenomenon was the reconstruction of churches, more specifically, it happened in Italy and Gaul, (…) It was a sort of challenge among peoples”. Various factors encouraged the rebirth of the religious architecture, such as: • Favorable historical conditions (political safety and demographic increase); • The increase of businesses and the introduction of new technologies; • Urban development. This is how the cathedrals were born. The cathedral is the place where the “Ecclesia” gather , so it is the core of the life of local churches. During the Middle Ages, the cathedrals were located in the centre of the city, as they represented the heart of medieval life. A city without cathedral was like a body without head and heart. In fact, it became the symbol of the unity in the city. In the Middle Ages, the power of the Church was conveyed by the splendour of the Cathedrals, where everyone was less than God, even if he had a crown. Sometimes, thanks to its enormity, it was used as a public building, where all citizens could be contained. The believers used to meet up in the Cathedral, during solemnities, in order to pray and worship the saints’ relics and the cathedrals were also the destination of incessant pilgrimages. During the Xth and the XIth , there was the birth of Romanesque Cathedrals, which were characterized by a longitudinal development in length of naves for the reception of the followers. The Cathedrals had solid structures with thick walls, stone vaults and simple and essential lines. The introduction of statues was an innovation. Being Romanesque churches the place of monastic prayers and cult, the sculptors took care more about educational purposes than technical perfection, because it was necessary to inspire strong impressions and feelings that could incite to escape the evil and practice virtues. The recurring theme was the representation of Christ as judge of the Universe, surrounded by characters from the Apocalypse. Even in our territory the Cathedral, named after the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, was rebuilt in Romanesque style during the Norman domination, in the XIIth century. Only in 1728, after being damaged by fires and earthquakes, it was demolished and rebuilt in Baroque style. It still holds the beauty of its origins: on the front you can observe the Corinthian capitals, while the gates were built in 1647. On the highest altar there are the statues of the two Patron Saints of the city: Sant’Agata and Santo Stefano. The interior is divided in three naves, the ceiling is painted the same colour as wood, and there are also many frescoes and a Romanesque crypt. Through the years, it has represented the religious, social and political centre of Sant’Agata de’ Goti, our town. By: 3 A LL IIS “DE’ LIGUORI”