Cathedral of San Berardo, Teramo

Symbolic monument of the city, the cathedral, dedicated to the holy bishop and patron saint of the city, San Berardo of the counts of Pagliara, was built starting in 1158 after the destruction of the ancient Santa Maria Aprutiensis in 1155 by the troops of Roberto, count of Loretello. The exterior, isolated from surrounding buildings by heavy interventions in the 1930s, features a facade crowned with battlements and the Romanesque portal of 1332 by Diodato Romano, with 15th-century additions such as the Annunciation group by Nicola da Guardiagrele. The bell tower dates back to the 12th century, to which in 1493 Antonio da Lodi added the tall octagonal spire with polychrome ceramic inserts that would be reproduced in other Abruzzese locations such as Atri, Penne, Città Sant’Angelo, and Loreto Aprutino. The interior, heavily altered by work in 1932-35 which removed the important ornamental and architectural layout of 1739 by Lazzaro Giosaffatti from Ascoli, is today in bare stone as it possibly appeared in the 12th century, with three naves and a central lantern tower. The terminal part of the choir, made in 14th-15th century forms with large pointed arches on tall pillars, is attributed to the initiative of Bishop Niccolò degli Arcioni as an extension of the church. On the main altar is the magnificent altar frontal, with evangelical scenes and saints in silver, made by Nicola da Guardiagrele from 1433 to 1448. In the still Baroque large chapel of San Berardo, on the altar is the altar frontal by the Venetian Jacobello del Fiore, once in Sant’Agostino, with the Coronation of the Virgin and a representation of the city of Teramo as it appeared at the beginning of the 15th century.