Cathedral of St. Donatus

The Cathedral of St. Donatus, known locally as Cattedrale di San Donato, is the principal place of worship in Pinerolo, a charming town in the province of Turin, Italy. Nestled in the historic heart of the town, this magnificent cathedral stands proudly in Piazza San Donato, drawing visitors with its rich history and stunning architectural features.

The History of the Cathedral of St. Donatus

The origins of the Cathedral of St. Donatus date back to the 10th century when the first church was constructed on this site by Olderico Manfredi II, the Marquess of Turin and Susa. Historical documents first mention this ancient church in 1044, noting the establishment of a chapter on March 14th of that year.

By the end of the 14th century, the original church underwent a complete reconstruction. In 1425, a new bell tower was erected, which, although never completed, served as a civic tower during the medieval period. The new church was finally completed and consecrated in 1508 by Baldassarre Bernezzo, the titular Archbishop of Laodicea in Syria.

In 1748, Pope Benedict XIV established the Diocese of Pinerolo, elevating the Church of St. Donatus to the status of a cathedral. Between 1766 and 1778, the cathedral underwent a Baroque-style restoration, during which the major altar and the interior flooring were created.

The 19th century brought another wave of restoration aimed at returning the cathedral to its original Gothic form. This project, led by Edoardo Mella and Melchiorre Pulciano, removed most of the Baroque additions, except for the major altar. In 1887, artists Alessandro Vacca and Giuseppe Rollini painted the frescoes adorning the cathedral's interior and designed the stained glass windows. Three new chapels were added on the south side in 1904.

In the latter half of the 20th century, following the Second Vatican Council, a new presbytery with modern furnishings was installed, blending contemporary elements with the cathedral's historic charm.

Exploring the Exterior

The facade of the Cathedral of St. Donatus was entirely rebuilt after an earthquake in 1808 destroyed the original. The current facade features a cream-colored plaster finish accentuated by red brick pilasters, which divide it into three sections corresponding to the interior naves. Each pilaster is topped with a pinnacle, with a central pinnacle crowning the facade.

The lower part of the facade showcases three recessed portals with painted lunettes. The central portal is adorned with a gable depicting the Resurrected Christ within a mandorla, while the lunette above it features the Coronation of Mary. The upper part of the facade is graced by three rose windows, with the central one surmounted by a fresco of the Holy Trinity.

To the left of the cathedral stands the bell tower, which remains incomplete, lacking its crowning spire. The bell chamber, featuring eight pointed arch openings, was added in 1763. Adjacent to the apse are two neo-Gothic canonical buildings constructed in the 19th century, each with three floors, including a partially underground level. The middle floors boast pointed arch windows with painted lunettes.

Discovering the Interior

The interior of the Cathedral of St. Donatus is a breathtaking sight, with three naves, each consisting of five bays covered by ribbed vaults. The vaults and the pillars separating the naves are adorned with intricate frescoes.

Along the side aisles, visitors can explore polygonal chapels. On the right side, the chapels are dedicated to the Crucifix, featuring a painting of Jesus on the cross, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with a painting of the Sacred Heart between Saints Anthony and Monica. On the left side, the chapels honor St. Peter the Apostle, St. Donatus, and St. Paul the Apostle, each with respective artworks depicting significant moments in their lives.

The left aisle also houses a painting by Peter Paul Rubens depicting the Expulsion of the Rebel Angels.

The central nave leads to the rectangular-shaped apse, featuring a vault decorated with images of the Four Evangelists. The polygonal apse is illuminated by five pointed arch windows and adorned with scenes from the lives of Jesus and Mary. The presbytery, renovated after the Second Vatican Council, includes terracotta sacred furnishings: the altar at the center, the cathedra on the right, the ambo on the left, and the baptismal font also on the left. Behind the new altar stands the original Baroque major altar, crafted from polychrome marble in 1781, surrounded by wooden choir stalls.

One of the interior highlights is the 17th-century wooden pulpit, richly carved and topped with a canopy, located against the right column between the fourth and fifth bays of the central nave.

Musical Heritage: The Pipe Organs

The Cathedral of St. Donatus boasts two remarkable pipe organs. The main organ, situated on the choir loft at the back of the church, was built by Carlo Vegezzi Bossi in 1914 and installed in the cathedral in 1919. Originally featuring pneumatic-tubular transmission, it was later electrified, with the console moved to the nave. The console has two keyboards with 61 keys each and a 32-key pedalboard, controlling 25 registers and a total of 1,600 pipes.

A secondary positive organ, likely crafted by the Turin organ builder Giuseppe Calandra in the 18th century, is located on the floor of the right aisle. This organ has fully mechanical transmission, a single keyboard with 45 notes, and a pedalboard with nine notes, constantly coupled to the manual, with the 8' Bass register always engaged.

The Cathedral of St. Donatus is not just a place of worship but a testament to centuries of history, art, and culture. Its walls echo the stories of the past, making it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the picturesque town of Pinerolo.