The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta) is a basilica church on the island of Torcello, Venice, northern Italy. It is a notable example of Venetian-Byzantine architecture, one of the most ancient religious edifices in the Veneto, and containing the earliest mosaics in the area of Venice.

According to an ancient inscription, it was founded by the exarch Isaac of Ravenna in 639, when Torcello was still a rival to the young nearby settlement at Venice.

The most important artistic element of the cathedral is the mosaics, the earliest remaining mosaics in the neighbourhood of Venice. The main apse has an 11th-century mosaic of famous beauty of the standing Virgin Hodegetria, isolated against a huge gold background, above a register of standing saints. These seem originally late 11th-century, by a team of Byzantine mosaicists, but the main figure was reworked a century later after an earthquake, while the saints remain from the first period of work. The west wall (over the door) was done in this second phase: from the top it contains a Crucifixion in the gable, then a vigorous Harrowing of Hell with a large figure of Christ, above a Last Judgement taking up four lower registers.
The skull of Saint Cecilia is also kept as a relic here.


Notice how images are used.
When one comes into the church for mass, you see the comforting image of the Virgin and Child




At the conclussion of Mass, one turns around to exit the church, and re-enter the world which is, of course, filled with sin. 
Here, one is presented with images of the Last Judgment, with some truly horrific fates being handed out to the wicked. 
A very strong reminder till next Sunday.

So, be good for goodess sake!

Last edited by Goose (10/08/2017 11:58 am)