In The Cathedral, Which Is A Large Gothic Pile, [This Edifice Is
Not Absolutely Gothic.
It was built in the Twelfth Century after
the Design of a Greek Architect from Constantinople, where by
that time the art was much degenerated.
The Pillars of Granite
are mostly from the Islands of Ebba and Giglia on the coast of
Tuscany, where those quarries were worked by the antient Romans.
The Giullo, and the verde antico are very beautiful species of
marble, yellow and green; the first, antiently called marmor
numidicum, came from Africa; the other was found (according to
Strabo) on the mons Taygetus in Lacedemonia: but, at present,
neither the one nor the other is to be had except among the ruins
of antiquity.] there is a great number of massy pillars of
porphyry, granite, jasper, giullo, and verde antico, together
with some good pictures and statues: but the greatest curiosity
is that of the brass-gates, designed and executed by John of
Bologna, representing, embossed in different compartments, the
history of the Old and New Testament. I was so charmed with this
work, that I could have stood a whole day to examine and admire
it. In the Baptisterium, which stands opposite to this front,
there are some beautiful marbles, particularly the font, and a
pulpit, supported by the statues of different animals.
Between the cathedral and this building, about one hundred paces
on one side, is the famous burying-ground, called Campo Santo,
from its being covered with earth brought from Jerusalem.
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