The Cathedral

The Cathedral stands on the ruins of the ancient basilica that was built by the emperor Constantine. In the crypt there are still some of the Ionic capitals of the paleochristian basilica that was rebuilt by Pope Leo III (795- 815 A.D.) after it had been destroyed by a devastating fire. This church underwent several alterations such as the construction of a graveyard connected to it or the edification of a small Sacristy but the main change was made by Cardinal Fabrizio Paolucci who had the present façade built in 1772 to the design of the architect Carlo Buratti. However, the cathedral reached its present aspect only in 1913 after more than 50 years of adaptations and restorations that were carried out with the financial contribution of the people of Albano. Thanks to all these restorations a row of columns belonging to the mediaeval cathedral built by Leo III was brought to light and the church was dedicated to St. Pancras as well as to St. John the Baptist, since both are patron saints of Albano. Inside the building there is a magnificent marble sarcophagus of the paleochristian period with a figure in aptitude of prayer in the centre. The interior of the cathedral is in neoclassical taste and is divided into three aisles with six chapels along the sides where some very interesting paintings dating to the XVIII century can be admired. The monogram of Christ stands out in the apse above three large paintings depicting respectively the finding of the Holy Cross by St. Helena (left), the glory of St. Pancras (centre) and the apparition of the Holy Cross to Constantine (right). Not far from the cathedral, at Via A. De Gasperi, there is the charming Episcopal palace, built in 1725 by Cardinal Nicola Lercari, Secretary of State to Pope Benedict XIII.

Address: Piazza Duomo