Cathedral of Saints Mariano and Giacomo

Welcome to the Cathedral of Saints Mariano and Giacomo, or the Doo-oh-moh dee Goo-bee-oh. To reach this point, you have ascended to the highest inhabited part of the city, nearly touching the lower slopes of Mount Ingino. …

We begin our study at the facade of the cathedral. It is a masterpiece of restraint and symbolic clarity. …

Upon entering the Duomo, the first thing that strikes the scholar is the extraordinary structural rhythm of the nave. Unlike many cathedrals with complex side aisles and forests of pillars, the Gubbio Cathedral consists of a…

At the heart of the cathedral lies the high altar, a place of intense spiritual and historical significance. Beneath the altar rests a late Roman sarcophagus containing the remains of Saints Mariano and Giacomo. …

As we explore the sides of the nave, we encounter a series of chapels that house some of Gubbio's most important Renaissance art. Although the cathedral is primarily Gothic, later wealthy families commissioned these spaces to…

In the rear of the cathedral, we find the grand pipe organ, an instrument that represents the long musical tradition of the Duomo. Music has always played a vital role in the liturgy here, and the cathedral’s acoustics were…

To conclude our tour, we look at the relationship between the cathedral and the surrounding buildings. Directly opposite the Duomo is the Palazzo Ducale (Pah-laht-tso Doo-kah-lay), built by the Duke of Urbino, Federico da…

As you step out of the cool, dim nave of the Cathedral of Saints Mariano and Giacomo and back into the bright light of the Gubbio sky, take a moment to reflect on the journey we have taken. We have explored a sanctuary that is…