COSENZA (Italy) – Cathedral

CATHEDRAL of S.MARIA ASSUNTA

The exact origins of the Duomo are unknown; it was probably built during the first half of the 11th century. An earthquake destroyed the cathedral on the 9th of June 1184, and its rebuilding was completed by 1222 when the cathedral was consecrated by Emperor Frederick II. At some point during the first half of the 18th century the church was covered by a baroque superstructure which obliterated the original structure and its works of art. In the first half of the 19th century the façade was transformed into neo-gothic style, which completely changed its character. At the end of the 19th century, Archbishop Camillo Sorgente entrusted the work to Pisanti, who recovered the original old arches and the ancient structure of the church. In the 1940s the work was finally completed. In the transept is the tomb of Isabella of Aragon, wife of king Philip III of France. A long aisle links the Duomo to the archbishops’ palace, the Palazzo Arcivescovile, which houses an Immacolata by Luca Giordano. One can also admire the rare and precious Stauroteca, a gift from Emperor Frederick II to the Duomo upon consecration. The work was produced in the royal goldsmiths’ workshops, better known as “Tiraz”, in a cultural environment which blended Muslim, Byzantine and Western cultural elements.

On the 12th of October 2011, the Cathedral of Cosenza received the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site for being “Heritage Witness to a Culture of Peace”. This is the first award given by UNESCO to the region of Calabria.

THE ORGAN

The new grand organ for the beautiful Cosenza Cathedral is located on the left side of the church, near the altar.
The new organ is not a copy of a specific style but is an interpretation of the romantic-symphonic French style with some of the nord-european influences.
The overall dimensions are: width m.7,60   depth m.2,50    height m.11,00
The console is positioned in the centre of the organ and has suspended key action and electric stop action.