About

This is one of the more important Romanesque buildings in Europe, and Dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and Saint Geminianus, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. For scholars and enthusiasts of Arthurian legend, the cathedral is better known for its north gate, Porta della Pescheria (“Fish-market Gate”), and its archivolt. Decorated with high relief carvings of secular scenes from the Breton tales of King Arthur, these “Modena Archivolt” reliefs are one of the earliest depictions of the theme, featuring some characters that are not known anywhere else, whether in art or literature.