Lodi's Cattedrale Vegetale

© Morgan_Graphic/Shutterstock

Catedrale Vegetale

Central Lombardy


On the north bank of the Adda river, a short stroll from the centre, this ambitious art installation blends the natural world with the religious in soaring wooden columns and branchlike finials that create something of an open-air cathedral. The work, completed in 2017, was designed by Lodi-born artist Giuliano Mauri and invites contemplation.

Oak saplings were planted within each lashed-together column, so that one day the framework can be removed and the trees will form their own living cathedral.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Central Lombardy attractions

1. Tempio Civico dell'Incoronata

0.51 MILES

The Tempio Civico dell'Incoronata was built in the late 15th century at the prompting of the local citizenry, apparently after a sighting of the Virgin…

3. Duomo

9.23 MILES

Completed in 1341, Crema's photogenic cathedral sports a giant facciata a vento (wind facade) and is of typically Lombard Gothic style, which uses…

4. Santuario di Santa Maria della Croce

9.99 MILES

One of the most striking Renaissance structures in Lombardy, the Santuario di Santa Maria della Croce lies about 1.5km north of the old town along Viale…

5. Santuario della Madonna di Caravaggio

12.59 MILES

The Santuario della Madonna di Caravaggio is a grandiose building started at the orders of Filippo Maria Visconti, Duke of Milan, after an alleged…

6. Chiesa dei Santi Fermo e Rustico

13.87 MILES

One of Caravaggio's highlights is the impressive Chiesa dei Santi Fermo e Rustico, with a brick Gothic facade, fine frescoes and an imposing 16th-century…

8. Fortifcazioni di Pizzighettone

16.35 MILES

Pizzighettone's big attraction is its well-preserved rampart wall, which still encircles its small historic centre. The walls were designed in the 12th…