Tag: Labyrinth

The labyrinth of Reims Cathedral

Once, in the nave of Reims Cathedral, at the foot of soaring pillars, between Gothic arches and majestic polychrome stained glass windows, was a labyrinth. This intricate drawing, composed of eleven geometric coils, lay beneath the feet of the pilgrims who had just passed through the entrance, seeking redemption in the house of God. For…
The mysterious Christ in the labyrinth of Alatri

Alatri, 1997. During restoration work on a room adjacent to the cloister of Saint Francis church, some colours faded by time emerged from a narrow passage. The building was erected starting in 1220 and its adjoining convent dates back to 13591. Certainly the unexpected room, lost in the oblivion of time, was probably part of…
The symbols of the Basilica of San Michele Maggiore in Pavia

The imposing Basilica of San Michele Maggiore dominates the centre of Pavia. It is the Romanesque soul of the city, still alive and present today. With its massive appearance, the sandstone walls embroidered with friezes and symbols tell of the history, faith, and culture of the Middle Ages. Like an illustrated compendium, they reveal a…
The labyrinth between history and mythology

The labyrinth symbol spread across ancient Mediterranean cultures, perhaps originating from a single cultural centre1. Its etymology, though clouded by the mixture of myth and reality, legend and history, provides some possible clues to its origins. The Greek term labýrinthos (λαβύρινθος2) may derive from Labrys, a double-bladed axe of antiquity, characteristic of Minoan civilisation. It…
Lucca Cathedral, an extraordinary labyrinth of mysteries

During the Middle Ages, Lucca was a city with a great tradition of worship, located in the heart of the Via Francigena. Pilgrims on their way to Rome stopped there to rest and pray before the Holy Face. According to tradition, this is a wooden crucifix that Nicodemus carved under divine inspiration. The holy relic…