The works for the construction of Orvieto Cathedral lasted about three centuries. On November 13, 1290 Pope Nicholas IV laid solemnly the first stone of the Church. The first architect was probably Arnolfo di Cambio. It seems, however, that the first builder was Fra' Bevignate of Perugia, who built the nave and the two aisles. The works were carried on by a local builder, a certain Giovanni Uguccione, who followed the Gothic style in the transept and apse. The main structures of the Cathedral, however, were so unstable that it was necessary to ask for the advice of an expert, namely the Sienese architect and sculptor Lorenzo Maitani who became the "universalis caput magister" of the Cathedral at Orvieto in 1310.

Later Maitani also supervised the sculpture of the lower façade, although he is recorded as executing only one of the four large bronze symbols of the Evangelists, the eagle of John. The four massive piers of the façade, richly decorated in low relief, are also believed to have been executed under his supervision. The lower part of the façade was complete by 1330 but some of the upper areas were not completed until the mid-fifteenth century. The mosaics had been restored many times.

Preview	Picture Data	Info
	View of the Cathedral 1310-30 Photo Duomo, Orvieto
	Façade of the Cathedral 1310-30 Stone, bronze sculpture, mosaics Duomo, Orvieto
	Façade of the Cathedral 1310-30 Stone, bronze sculpture, mosaics Duomo, Orvieto
	Central portal of west façade 1310-30 Stone, bronze sculpture, mosaics Duomo, Orvieto
	Interior view founded 1290 Photo Duomo, Orvieto
	Interior view founded 1290 Photo Duomo, Orvieto
	Interior view founded 1290 Photo Duomo, Orvieto
	Interior view founded 1290 Photo Duomo, Orvieto
	Virgin and Child 1320s Marble and bronze Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Orvieto
	Virgin and Child (copy) 1320s Marble and bronze Duomo, Orvieto
	Virgin and Child (copy) 1320s Marble and bronze Duomo, Orvieto
	The Eagle: Symbol of St John 1325-30 Bronze Duomo, Orvieto
	The Angel: Symbol of St Matthew 1325-30 Bronze Duomo, Orvieto
	The Winged Bull: Symbol of St Luke 1325-30 Bronze Duomo, Orvieto
	The Lion: Symbol of St Mark 1325-30 Bronze Duomo, Orvieto
	Symbols of the Evangelists 1325-30 Bronze Duomo, Orvieto