Parma Cathedral

One of the sights in Parma that attracted us was the cathedral, the duomo, which was consecrated in 1106. Much within it is newer, merely Renaissance, etc., but still of great interest.

Lombard Romanesque, the tower under scaffolding

Of equal interest is the Baptistry, same age, same beautiful pink
Verona marble

One of the Baptistry doors

Detail, sort of a Judgment...

Tree of Jesse

It has been some time since we were in an Italian cathedral; they're darker, of
course, lacking the great windows of the north; and the great height; but every
square inch is painted or otherwise decorated, sometimes gloriously; not a bad
trade-off

Even the ceiling...which in this case looks like standard
four-part Gothic vaulting...painted

Fortunately, there is often a Divine Illumination Machine;
we have learned now to be patient and let someone else pay
the two euros... although this deprives me of the opportunity
to stage-whisper "Let there be light"; also any side
benefices or indulgences

Apse area with its great domes

Antelemi's Deposition relief; same guy who designed the Baptistry

The central dome, Antonio Corregio's Assumption of the Virgin

Closer up: one of the first great swirlers...

Closer still...that's Mary at about 7 o'clock, bare-breasted; you'll
have to guess who is there in the center, with clean feet (I can
never look at these things without thinking of The Assumption of 
Gala and Salvador into Heaven at Figueres) (hint: don't look up
His drawers)

Alas, the only conspicuous stained glass in the place actually ruins what might
have been a great Mannerist Maesta (inside west wall)

Gated side chapel

Elevation; dark; but color everywhere

Exterior, high up on the bow