Verona - Basilica di San Zeno

Already Theodoric the Great, King of the Ostrogoths, may have funded a church, erected over the tomb of Saint Zeno, who, following the legends, was born in Mauretania and died around 380 in Verona.

The erection of the present church began in the 9th century. Soon after San Zeno´s relics were translated into the new church. At that time Charlemagne´s son Pepin (aka "Pepin of Italy") resided in Verona and a large Benedictine monastery grew all around the church.

When the Magyars invaded Italy in the early 10th century, the church got severely damaged, but the relics were not harmed, as they had been taken out and were hidden. In 967, a new church was built with the patronage of Otto I.

On January 3, 1117, the church was damaged by an earthquake, that ruined so many buildings in Northern Italy. The church was restored and got enlarged in 1138.

The large crypt dates back to the 10th century, as it is known, that the relics of San Zeno were transferred in 921.

This flight of stairs runs down to the crypt from the central nave, but the both aisles have stairs, too as the crypt is as wide as the church. The arches have interesting friezes. They were created by Adamino von San Giorgio, who left his signature.

The friezes are populated with many fanciful and monstrous animals.

Here is - an elephant!

I did not find the elephant during my first visit to Verona, though - Verona is only about 100 kms north east of Cremona, where an elephant, known as "Cremona Elephant" is proven. The elephant had been a gift to Frederick II from Sultan Al-Kamil in 1229.

The elephant was used by Frederick II in his triumph parades. It is depicted in the "Chronica Majora":

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