Ancona PiP

The Cathedral of Ancona Cattedrale Metropolitana di San Ciriaco, is dedicated to Saint Cyriacus of Ancona. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Ancona. The building is an example of mixed Romanesque-Byzantine and Gothic elements and stands on the site of the ancient acropolis of the Greek city, the Guasco hill overlooking Ancona and its gulf.

The excavations carried out in 2016 showed that already in the 3rd century B.C. an italic temple, perhaps dedicated to Aphrodite, existed on this site.

In 1017 the renovated basilica received the relics of Saint Marcellin of Ancona and Saint Cyriacus. The church, formerly dedicated to Saint Laurentius, was consecrated to Saint Cyriakus the Martyr, patron saint and (possibly) bishop of Ancona.

The first restoration took place in 1883. During the First World War, on 24 May 1915, the basilica was damaged by a bombing of the Austro-Hungarian fleet. The damage was repaired in 1920, but during the Second World War Anglo-American bombing raids destroyed the south transept and the tear crypt below, as well as the art treasures housed there.

PiP: Two such red marble lions carry the roof in front of the entrance portal