CATHEDRAL OF SAN RUFINO, Cathedral Of San Rufino

Hi, my name’s Jill, and I’m your personal guide. Along with MyWoWo, I’d like to welcome you to one of the Wonders of the World: the Cathedral of San Rufino.

The cathedral was built around 1140 to contain the relics of Saint Rufinus, a bishop of Assisi who lived 1000 years before Saint Francis. The facade is one of the masterworks of Umbrian Romanesque architecture, perfectly proportioned in the division between the horizontal bands and the vertical elements, given a lighter touch on the front thanks to three beautiful rose windows. The central window is divided into twelve parts – like the months of the year and the number of apostles – and seems to be supported by three figures standing on dragons, alluding to how strenuous human life is without faith. Man can find salvation in the church, which he enters through the door; on both sides we can see lions attacking their victims, perhaps meant to represent evildoers seeking to make their way in. Remember that all medieval sculptures are rich in deliberately mysterious meanings. Don’t forget to take a close look at the impressive Romanesque bell tower, with the different levels marked by cornices and small arches.

If you’re thinking the inside is much less austere than the facade, you’re right: it is bright, plastered and well-lit, because it was completely renovated in the 16th century in Renaissance style....