Aosta - Collegiata di Sant'Orso

The collegiate church, dedicated to Saint Ursus of Aosta, existed here already in Carolingian times. Ursus, who may have been Irish, was a missionary, who supported the Bishop of Aosta. When an Arian became bishop of Aosta, Ursus and other canons left the cathedral and settled outside the walls of Aosta at the present site of the collegiate church of Saint Ursus.

A Romanesque church was built around 1000, but this church got rebuilt, altered and enlarged many times over the centuries.

The beautiful cloister, next to the basilica, was erected mid 12th century. It got restored end of teh 15th century, but 37 of the 42 original capitals are still "in situ". The now darkgrey capitals were white, when they were carved.

Nineteen prophets from the Old Testament are depicted.

Here are the portrays of

DANIEL - ASPICIEBAM IN VISU NOCTIS

referring to Dan 7:13

"In my vision at night I looked - (and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence)"

and

ABDIAS (= Obadiah) - P(ER)DA(M) SAPIENTES DE IDUMEA

referring to Ob 1:8

"(In that day," declares the Lord,) "will I not destroy the wise men of Edom (those of understanding in the mountains of Esau?)"