Monuments
Duomo Romanico San Leone
Set on a rocky spur, it appears solid yet harmonious, with the entrance on one side and numerous asymmetrical features of great charm.
The Duomo Romanico di San Leone (Duomo di San Leo) was built on a rocky hilltop, a site that has been considered a place of worship since prehistoric times. The first cathedral was built in the 7th century; some remains of the original church are still visible today, incorporated into the current Romanesque-Lombard structure.
On the outside, it appears solid yet harmonious, with the entrance on one side and numerous asymmetrical features.
Inside the space is dominated by wide stone colonnades enriched with capitals decorated with animals from the Christian bestiary, symbolising human vices and virtues. Particularly striking is the presbytery, reached by two symmetrically placed side staircases.
Good to know
- A religious citadel (Vescovado) once stood around the Duomo di San Leone, most likely protected by a set of walls. The citadel consisted of a tower (Torre civica), a hospital, guest quarters and a sacristy.
- A relic of the saint, donated to the town in 1953, is kept on the altar.
- San Leone is the patron saint of San Leo.
Photo credits - iluoghidelsilenzio.it
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