Pisa - Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta

The construction of the "Duomo" began in 1064 by the architect Busketo, who with this structure set the model for the distinctive Pisan Romanesque style of architecture.

When the construction of this cathedral started, Pisa was on a height of political (and financial) power. Pisa was an important commercial centre controlling large parts of the Mediterranean merchant fleet and navy.

In 1017 Pisa had militarily supported the Sardinian "Giudicati" (regional kings) to defeat Saracen troops in the north of Sardinia. Between 1030 and 1035, Pisa defeated rival towns in Sicily. In 1051–1052 admiral Jacopo Ciurini conquered Corsica. In 1063 admiral Giovanni Orlando, coming to the aid of the Norman Roger I, took Palermo from the Saracen. The gold treasure taken from the Saracens in Palermo allowed the Pisans to start the building of the cathedral.

The elaborately carved pulpit was carved by Giovanni Pisano (1302–1310) probably in cooperation with his father Nicola, who created the pulpit in the neighbouring baptistry. The hexagonal pulpit survived the fire, that severely damaged the cathedrale in 1595. It was packed away during the renovation.

After centuries it got rediscovered and is back in the cathedral since 1926. It is a masterwork. Influenced by French Gothic and Ancient Roman art, Pisano and his father are precursors of the Italian Renaissance.

One of the pulpit´s nine large reliefs depicts the Nativity. Here is a detail. Mary recumbent like an Etruscan lady looks at the baby. Below - the midwives prepare the "First Bath".