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.

In 1939 during the restoration these two reliefs were discovered. They had been used (sculpted side down) as paving tiles. Since then many theories were discussed about the origine. Most likely they have been parts of a medieval pulpit. Some scholars claimed already before these reliefs were discovered, that a pulpit created by Guido da Como 1199, existed in the cathedral upto the 15th century. Then it vanished without a trace...

More recently the reliefs were attributed to the workshops of Guglielmo (Pisa Cathedral) or his follower Gruamons (with Adeodatus and Enrigus) who worked at nearby Sant'Andrea.

Here is the "Visitation" (Luke 1:39–56)

Mary visits Elisabeth and her husband Zacharias.

The inscription reads:

"INFANS EXULTAT STERILEM DVM VIRGO SALVTAT"

(~ The child exultant, when Mary greets the infertil)

Elisabeth and Zacharias were childless (and old) - then an angel told Zacharias

Luke 1:13–15

"But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born."

The son later became known under the name "John the Baptist".