Sant'Orso
Sant'Orso, or Saint-Ours, is a collegiate church in Aosta, northern Italy dedicated to Saint Ursus of Aosta. The original church had a single hall, delimited by a semicircular apse. It was entirely rebuilt during the 9th century, during the Carolingian age. Later, bishop Anselm of Aosta further renovated the church, introducing a basilica plan with three naves with wooden trusses. These were replaced by Gothic cross vaults in the 15th century.
It contains many missals and reliquaries, including the relics of Ursus, which rest in the crypt. The vault was rebuilt in the 15th century.
The cloister has historiated capitals depicting the life of Ursus. The bell tower, dating to 989, has kept some the lower 15 metres of the original medieval structure. The present structure, in Romanesque style, dates to the 12th century, and has a total height of 44 metres.
It also holds the relics of Saint Gratus of Aosta.
Fragments of a Romanesque series of paintings are preserved in good condition in the space between the current vault and the original ceiling. These portray scenes from the New Testament as well as a martyrdom. Stylistically they resemble the bright colours and strongly marked outlines of some of the frescoes at the Galliano Basilica near Cantù.[1]
Gallery
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Choir stall
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Fresco of St Peter and other apostles, right wall (11th-12th centuries)
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Fresco of a martyrdom, entrance hall (11th-12th centuries)
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capital depicting the Aesop's fable of the Fox and the Stork
References
- ↑ J. Ainaud, Romanesque Painting (London: Weidenfeld & Nicholson, 1963), p. 7.
External links
Coordinates: 45°44′21″N 7°19′31″E / 45.7393°N 7.3253°E