Sant' Andrea e Marcello in Citadel

Basilica Cattedrale Metropolitana di Sant'Andrea e Marcello in Citadel is the cathedral of Citadel, and the seat of metropolitan archbishop of Citadel. As the largest church in Citadel, it is also the fifth largest church in second empire. Finished in 1649 and restored in 2109, it is located in 8 Cathedral Piazza. It is dedicated to Andrew the apostle, and Marcello de Vito, bishop and patron of the city. It has retained the dignity of minor basilica since 1710.

## History

### Archaeological evidence

Archaeologists investigated the church in 2103-05, and reported they had revealed the remains of a large complex from 5th century A.E. It is probably a noble villa, although they first considered it the earlier church, which is quite improbable because this sect of city is still rural until 9th century A.E.

### The first church

After a migration of river Chiara (清水河) and the abandonment of former city, Nicephoros Zaotzes, governor here, decided to rebuild the city at the present site. Zaotzes had a church constructed "near the port", which is sometimes considered as this one. However documentary evidence is scarce, and it could also be the ruins south of the cathedral. Archaeological evidence shows that a IX century church is buried under the sacristy of the cathedral. The arcades had columns and was decorated with mosaic. In X century it fell into the hands of Huo dynasty, and a house was installed beside the church.

### The cathedral

Eleonora Gambara (1534-1589, r.1548-89A.E.) was the grand-duchess of Chiaraforte, and she planned to develop the swamp areas southeast of the city. In 1554 the cathedral started construction, and she had her wedding to Giovanni Battista Pio celebrated here. However hydrological situation was difficult, and it took a long time to drain the marshes. It is not until Eleonora's grandson, Alessandro IV Pio-Gambara, that the marshes were fully drained. Further construction speeded, and Alessandro poured money to its embellishment. The building finished in 1646 A.E., and Alessandro was buried here in a magnificent tomb two years later. In 1649 A.E., the new cathedral was consecrated.

Chiaraforte soon fell into the Synadenos despotate of megalonia, and Camillo III abdicated in 1680 A.E. Synadenos lost power soon and was deposed later. Archbishop Marcello de Vito (1634-1715) personally ruled and negotiated in the complex situation. After a brief rule of Iris, it was finally captured by later Wei dynasty in 1726. This dynasty moved their capital here in 1753.

In 1710 it has gained the status of minor basilica.

It is used as the metropolitan cathedral since then, and undisturbed till 1826.

### The restoration

As the capital of the new empire, the status of this cathedral seemed to be generally elevated, and it went into heavy restoration during 2089-2109. Two additional chapels were established, while the sanctuary and transept was totally rebuilt. The piazza in front of it was enlarged, and a fountain originally from Teverina was installed here. Pope Pio XXIX personally visited the church in 2110. The emperor Zheng Wei II donated a new altar in 2110, after his coronation.

## Exterior

### Locality

Situated in the south of the old city, it is surrounded by ancient palaces and buildings, many of which could date themselves from XVI century A.E. The piazza itself is heavily restored, but still worth to have a glimpse. The fountain, which was designed by Luigi de Pretis and carved by an uncertain master, bears the shield of pope Frascati, who elevated the cathedral to a minor basilica in 1710. The archbishop's palace is on its left side, finished in 1620.

### Facade

The façade of the cathedral is salient, with the central part, in which the three portals open, punctuated by four Corinthian pilasters and surmounted by a triangular pediment. The Cardinal Lorenzo Prati's heraldry was changed to Marcello de Vito's after his death, in 1720. On the tympanum are the statues depicting St. Anselm, St. Andrew, St. Marcello de Vito and St. Onofrio of Villanova, finished 1753 (Marcello was canonized in 1750).

### layout

The cathedral is in the shape of a Latin cross, with a hall divided into five naves by four rows of fluted Corinthian columns.

## Interior

The central nave is covered with a barrel-vault ceiling with frescos, while the side aisles are covered with gilded barrel vaults. Along each of the two external side aisles there is a row of eight side chapels.

### Counter-Facade

Two archbishops of Citadel are buried here. Vincenzo Capilupi (ep.1550-1589; elevated to archdiocese 1561) and Paolo Arrivabene (aep.1647-1653). Arrivabene was elevated to cardinalate in 1650, but he chose to be buried in front of the main altar, and had his monument placed on the counter-facade. On the foot of Capilupi's monument was a simple inscription, which is the original location of archbishop Marcello de Vito's tomb. His funeral monument was relocated, and his remains venerated elsewhere after his canonization.

Above these two monuments are fine frescos by Bonaventura Giglio 1643, and a large stained-glass window was installed that year.

### Nave

the nave has eight bays. A memorial to archbishop Liu Chengqing (柳承庆, aep.1760-1782) is placed here, between the fifth and sixth chapel on the left. It is interesting for the long inscription composed by the archbishop. It is carved on a grey rectangular marble, with a Greek Cross on it. Opposite to it is the memorial to archbishop Jean-Christophe Mallard (aep.1854-1880), in a classical manner. His surname means "duck", and a duck was carved beside his crest, which is a duck under the sun. The memorial to archbishop Zheng Gongquan (郑公权，aep.1799-1815, cardinal 1792, d.1819) is placed on the right, outside the first chapel. Outside the second chapel is a memorial to his two successors, Zheng Shenxing and Zheng Gaoxing (郑慎行,aep.1818-1828, 郑高行,aep.1815-1818), who are his nephews. They were portrayed in relief on a tondo above the inscription. Zheng Shenxing was elevated to cardinalate in 1828 according to the inscription, but probably *in pectore.* Cardinal Niccolo Capilupi (ep.1653-1656, card.1655; grand-nephew of Vincenzo Capilupi) was buried in front of the fifth chapel, and his monument is outside there.

1. ↑ Tania A., *the early buildings of citadel* (2175), pp.214-223
2. ↑ Although it is exaggerated in his hagiography. According to recent scholars he is more likely a skilled negotiator.
3. ↑ It wasn't published. Niccolo Spinelli, nuncio to Yue, also stated in his letters that he was made a cardinal. See Zhu, Marsili, *The Zheng family and the archdiocese of Citadel, 1799-1828*, 2199.