The Cathedral of Saint Anastasia (Santa Anastasia) in Verona is the largest Gothic Church in the city. Its construction began in 1290 and continued until 1481. The facade was not finished, but the interior of the Church is very beautiful.
Construction of the Cathedral was started on the site of a small Church of St. Anastasia. Holy Anastasia of Sirmium, a very revered in Verona. She was a Roman noblewoman. Christianity was secretly adopted by her mother, and then by Anastasia herself. She secretly visited and cared for Christian prisoners in Roman prisons. Anastasia was martyred in 304 in Sirmium (now Serbia) during the persecution of Christians under the Emperor Diocletian.
Initially, the new Church was intended to be dedicated to Saint Peter of Verona, but residents still called it in honor of Saint Anastasia, so this Cathedral now has two names. On the portal above the entrance to the Cathedral, the frescoes depict Saint Peter.
The interior of the Cathedral is very beautiful. The original marble slabs laid here in 1462 remain on the floor. The ceiling was painted with frescoes in 1437. The ornaments depict leaves, fruits, plants and flowers. Almost all the ornaments are interwoven with the figure of Peter of Verona, who covers the worshippers with a cloak.
The Cathedral is divided by columns into three naves. On the walls you can see many frescoes dedicated to saints. Some of the frescoes also depict members of the dela Scala family. Near the columns at the entrance to the Cathedral, you can see two water-consecrated bowls, which are supported by statues of bent people. They are called the Hunchbacks of Saint Anastasia.
