We recently published some photos by Nicola de’ Grandi of the cathedral of Brixen in the Alto Adige region of northern Italy, and of liturgical items from the diocesan museum. Brixen became an episcopal see ca. 1000, when the bishop St Albuinus transferred his episcopal title there from Säben (‘Sabiona’ in Italian), which is about 9 miles away to the southwest, perched on a large hill (or small mountain) overlooking the Isarco valley. The ancient cathedral, founded in the 5th or 6th century, has been a Benedictine monastery since the later 17th century.
An unusual representation of the three Marys coming to anoint Christ at the tomb, placed in an architectural setting.
The Deposition of Christ from the Cross
“The foundations thereof are on the holy mountains.” (Ps. 86, 1)
The marble inscription under this sarcophagus mounted onto the wall reads, “The venerable bones and relics of several most reverend bishops of Sabiona, translated from their (original) burials places, now lie in holy repose, having been placed in this sacrcophagus.” (The inscription on the sarcophagus itself says the same in German.)
An interesting trompe l’oeil ceiling.
The site of the original burial of St Ingenuinus, the first bishop of Sabiona, whose relics were taken to Brixen when the see was transferred.
A really amazing view of the Isarco valley.
The approach to the monastery up the hill.
