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 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 "Last Supper" and the "Betrayal of Jesus"


The top line of the inscription over the Last Supper is not visible from here (sorry). The "complete inscription reads

"CENANS DISCIPULIS XRISTVS DAT VERBA SALVA(N)S / CENA NOVA TRIBVIT LEGE(M) UETERE(M) QVOQ(UE) FINIT"

~ During the Supper Christ says to the Disciples redemptive words / The Last Supper he acknowledges the old law and puts them to an end.


The inscription over the "Betrayal of Jesus" reads

"FUSTIB(US) ET GLADIIS IUDA XR(ISTU)M PRENDERE QV(A)ERIT"

~ With sticks and swords Judas tries to capture Jesus