Verona - Duomo di Verona

Approaching the "Cattedrale Santa Maria Matricolare" from the east, the tourists face this perfect apse.

The first cathedral here was consecrated by St. Zeno around 380 AD. This was replaced by a larger building already two centuries later. An earthquake and/or fire destroyed that structure. The basilica that got rebuilt was destroyed by the earthquake in 1117, that wrecked so many buildings in Veneto and Lombardy.

The present cathedral was built in 1117-38, but many renovations were made later. Up under the roof are wonderful friezes. Here is a detail.