Lodi
A regular-plan City founded by Federico Barbarossa in 1158, after the complete distruction of “Laus Pompeia”, which nowadays is Lodi Vecchio. It has many Medieval and Renaissance artistic works.
NOT TO MISS
The Laudense Library: it is placed in the former Convent of St. Philip and gathers Medieval documents concerning the foundation of the City, miniated anthem books, incunabulums and so on.
The “Broletto” (Town Hall): the façade belongs to the XVIII Century. At the centre there is a fountain, the old font of the XVI Century, former in the ancient Cathedral. Along with the Cathedral, the “Broletto” traces the outline of a characteristic Lombard square.
The Cathedral: according to the tradition, its design is attributed to Tinto Muso di Gatta. Recently restored, on the façade it preserves the portal with an ogival little portico on two columns of 1284, the superior rose-window and the mullioned two-light windows of 1500. The inside is made of bricks, except for the presbyterial area which is made of stones; here there are polyptyches, paintings and sculptures; the choir, with eleven tarsias, is a precious work by Frà Giovanni da Verona; in the presbytery, we can see a Romanesque sculpture representing “L’Ultima Cena” (The Last Supper). The near, heavy bell-tower is a work by Callisto Piazza.
The Municipal Museum: it is in the former St .Philip’s Convent and it gathers an important section dedicated to ceramics, another one to archaeology, with material coming from Lodi Vecchio, a section of the Italian Risorgimento, a hall dedicated to the minor arts and a picture-gallery with remarkable wooden panels dating back to 1494, by the Lupis Bros.
The Hospital Maggiore: it was widened twice: the first time in 1571, by Pellegrini. The façade was made by Piermarini. The most important part is the arcade courtyard, with a loggia dating back to 1473.
The Bishop Palace: it dates back around to 1730 Christopher’s Church: i t dates back to 1564-86 and was remade on a previous one by Tibaldi.
St . Philip’s Church: it has a homogeneous structure, with Eighteenth-Century decorations and furniture.
St. Francis’s Church: it belongs to the end of the XIII Century and it is a Gothic Lombard figure construction, recently restored. The inside can be considered as a rich picture-gallery of Lombard artists belonging to the XIV and XV Century. Noteworthy is the fresco “Madonna con Bambino e Santi” (Our Lady with Baby Jesus and Saints) and “Ritratto del Fissigara” (Portrait of Fissigara) by an unknown, but excellent artist.
St. Lawrence’s Church: on the façade, it preserves a sumptuous rose-window. This building dates back to the XII and XIII Century.
The Sanctuary of Incoronata (Our Lady Coronated): this is a masterpiece of architecture where Battagio, a follower of Bramante, is equal to his master for more than one reason. Once started the construction and after the first octagon, the stucco decoration of the pilaster strips of the high altar was created. At the end of 1489, G. Dolcebuono continued this work according to the original project and added the belltower which was built in 1503 by L. Maggi. The loggia on the façade and on the sides is by A. Truzzi. On the inside, there are many masterpieces: in St. Paul’s Chapel there are four paintings by Bergognone dating back to around 1500; in the Maggiore Chapel, “L’Incoronazione della Vergine” (The Coronation of the Virgin); in the Treasury there are Renaissance works. and is a work by Veneroni. On the inside, there are beautiful frescoed halls. Varesi Palace: Renaissance building with brick windows and richly decorated portal.
St. Agnes’s Church: Gothic-Lombard building, with a façade decorated with bricks. On the inside, there are outstanding works, such as a polyptych of 1520 by A. Piazza and a Crucifix dating back to the XV Century.
