Answer: Carlo Fontana
The Cathedral of Santa Margherita, located in Montefiascone (Viterbo province), is a masterpiece of religious architecture. Originally constructed in the 15th century and dedicated to Saint Margaret of Antioch, the cathedral is most famous for its colossal dome, which ranks among the largest in Italy.
After a fire destroyed much of the structure in 1670, the dome was redesigned and completed by Carlo Fontana, a prominent Baroque architect and disciple of Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The new dome was inaugurated on December 16, 1674, and remains a symbol of Montefiascone’s spiritual and architectural heritage. The cathedral also houses the relics of Saint Lucia Filippini and Cardinal Marco Antonio Barbarigo.
Carlo Fontana was a leading figure in Late Baroque architecture. A student of Bernini, Fontana brought classical balance to the exuberance of the Baroque style. His work on the Montefiascone dome exemplifies his architectural clarity and grandeur. Fontana’s influence extended across Europe, and his studio trained many of the next generation’s architects.
To celebrate the 350th anniversary of the dome of the Cathedral of Santa Margherita in Montefiascone (VT), the Vatican Postal and Philatelic Service issued a special commemorative postmark on December 16, 2024 (no new stamps). The circular cancellation, measuring 38 mm in diameter, features a freely inspired graphic representation of the cathedral’s dome, originally designed by the Baroque architect Carlo Fontana. The postmark includes the inscriptions: “350 ANNI DELLA CUPOLA DELLA CATTEDRALE DI MONTEFIASCONE,” “POSTE VATICANE,” and “16 DICEMBRE 2024.”
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