Cattedrale Vegetale
Situated on the area formerly belonging to SICC in Lodi (left bank of the river Adda), Cattedrale Vegetale opened the 23rd April 2017.
“This Cathedral represents an idea of the magnificence, order and holiness of the place. I have always wanted to give substance to the brotherhood between this place and the sacredness of the earth and these raising elements, these trees. This encompasses the whole philosophy of my work. This place will always remember me, and this makes me happy. I like to think that people will walk through this place and wonder why it was erected, why they built it, a question that will stem out spontaneously, realizing that the work is worth the place”.
Giuliano Mauri
This place will never forget me and this makes me happy, I like to think that passers-by may try to guess why, a question people will probably ask themselves realizing that this work is well worth the place.
The artist Giuliano Mauri died at the age of just 71 on 29th May, 2009 leaving behind several unfinished projects.
A few years ago, his family decided to do their best to make at least one of his last wishes, a “Cattedrale Vegetale” for his town, a project which was immediately taken up the Municipality.
Over the years, following several changes within the city councils, not to mention the pressing need to clean and reclaim the area on which the Cathedral stands, its construction has suffered a series of unfortunate delays.
On 20th October 2016, the wooden structure of the “Cattedrale Vegetale” designed by Giuliano Mauri, the Art-in-Nature artist died in 2009, was completed.
In November 2016, after the commissioning of the work safety, the sponsors and the city administration began the construction of the Cathedral getting 108 oak trees - 60 cm high, planted inside the wooden columns that make up the 5 naves.
The artist's dream has come true thanks to the Town of Lodi and the Lombardy region, to the personal involvement of major Italian artists and private sponsors, as well as the patronage of the Triennale Milano, guarantor of the artistic quality of the project.
Mauri bequeathed what is considered his artistic legacy, in which he explained his project of a “Cattedrale Vegetale” for his town, which means to believe in a place of worship and gathering where only nature exists with its strength and silences but also to be able to contemplate the sky and pray in one’s own way, or just let one’s own thoughts flow, finally to feel oneself as part of the work .
Uninterruptedly since 2009 his family have been working really hard to create the artist’s archive in an attempt to preserve Giuliano Mauri’s name and poetry.
Giuliano Mauri Association was founded by the artist's family in July 2016 with the aim of promoting, protecting, and preserving Mauri's work.
