This content was automatically translated. View the original text.
St. Margaret's Cathedral in Montefiascone, with one of Italy’s largest domes
The Cathedral of Santa Margherita (St Margaret) is in the square of the same name in the heart of Montefiascone. It is dedicated to Margaret of Antioch, the city's patron saint, whose relics are preserved within. Its dome is among the largest in Italy—ranking alongside St. Peter's and Santa Maria del Fiore—and is visible from a great distance across the surrounding country.
Three centuries under construction
A church existed on this site as early as 1330, but the establishment of the diocese in 1369 prompted a more ambitious project. Work began in 1483 under the Florentine architect Antico di Stefano. Michele Sanmicheli from Verona took over in 1519, possibly assisted by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger. Due to economic constraints, construction was halted at the drum, which was temporarily covered by a roof. A fire on Good Friday in 1670 destroyed the roof and interior. This offered an opportunity to commission Carlo Fontana to complete the dome, which was inaugurated on December 16, 1674. The façade and bell towers date back to 1840, designed by Paolo Gazola for Cardinal Vincenzo Macchi.
Interior and Crypt
Inside, the chapels are decorated with Della Robbia-style terracottas and a wooden crucifix. The Renaissance crypt houses the remains of St Lucia Filippini and Cardinal Marco Antonio Barbarigo, bishop from 1687 to 1706. In 1943, Pope Pius XII elevated the cathedral to the status of a minor basilica.
