Anagni, City of Popes

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, Anagni Cathedral was a real highlight, thanks to its castle-like appearance and magnificent frescoed crypt. Anagni was the birthplace (and frequent residence) of four popes in the 1200s and its cathedral reflects that importance.


South exterior, and handy car park.


A fine little Italian car next to the cathedral.


Monument to Pope Boniface VIII, commissioned by the not-so-humble pope himself. It's one of the only surviving contemporary portraits of a medieval pope.


Zoom view of the lovely Romanesque apse.


West facade.


Detached bell tower.


Interior


The magnificent Crypt of St. Magnus, covered in bright frescoes with fascinating subjects from the 13th century.


A microcosm, theory of the elements, and a debate between the Greek philosophers Galen and Hippocrates.


A scene from Revelation: the opening of the fifth seal and the souls of the martyrs.


The martyrdom of St. John the Evangelist by boiling in a cauldron.


The Lapidary Museum is part of the same 3 euro ticket that gets you in the crypt. It displays mainly inscriptions from Anagni ranging from Roman to medieval in date.


We found lunch at this friendly little restaurant ("Taverna of the Popes") next to the cathedral.


We both had a nice penne with salmon followed by complimentary biscotti. Delicious and filling.