Pistoia - Duomo di Pistoia

The Pistoia Cathedral (aka "Cattedrale di San Zeno") is located just opposite the octagonal baptistery.

The cathedral dates back to the 10th century, but in 1108 it was severly damaged by a fire and had to be rebuilt. In 1145 an altar was dedicated here to Saint James the Great (aka St. Jaques) by Bishop Saint Atto, who had brought a relic to Pistoia from Santiago de Compostella.

In 1202 another fire damaged the cathedral again. In 1274-1275 the aisles were covered with vaults, but further damage was caused by an earthquake in 1298.

From 1598 on the medieval choir was replaced by a Baroque tribune surmounted by a dome. Later the main aisle was covered by new cross vaults.

During a long and extensive restoration in the 20th century a lot of the Baroque additions were removed - and so the Romanesque church, that it once had been, was brought back.