Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Macchu Picchu
Peru • 10 days, 9 nights
Peru: Machu Picchu & the Last Incan Bridges
from
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Saquon Barkley Plaque
Kirkkasik Bedesten inside
Kirkkasik Bedesten
Someshwar Temple
Someshwar Temple
Grilled cheese and tomato soup are soulmates.
The Palisades Restaurant
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
A skeleton on display contemplating its own mortality.
Kid Mai Death Awareness Cafe
This classic London pub has a surprising history behind it.
John Snow
The beef, Guinness, and oyster pie sports a rich, flaky crust.
The Guinea
Welcome to one of the only floating pubs in the world.
Tamesis Dock
This may be the oldest pie in the world.
St Helens 'Oldest Pie' at The Turks Head
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Decoy’s wines reflect the terroir of California.
How a Wooden Duck Migrated From the California Wetlands to a Wine Label
10 days ago
There’s more to the French capital than the Eiffel Tower.
Dear Atlas: What Are Some Non-Touristy Things to Do in Paris?
14 days ago
The plants around Liz Dauncey in this photo are not poisonous, but many common garden and houseplants are.
Are Some of Your Favorite Houseplants Poisonous? AO Wants to Know.
21 days ago
“There may be a collective sense of a dark loneliness,” Dahl says, referring to Norway’s natural landscape.
In Norway, Easter Means Tucking Into Crime Stories
21 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Italy Modena Modena Archivolt
AO Edited

Modena Archivolt

One of the earliest depictions of an Arthurian scene that is shrouded in mystery.

Modena, Italy

Added By
Fred Cherrygarden
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
The Modena Archivolt.   Ruge
The Modena Archivolt.   Ruge
Isdernus (Yder) and Artus de Bretania (King Arthur).   Ruge
Modena Cathedral, 2012.   Baba1948
Porta della Pescheria, the Fish-market Gate.   Andy Hay
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Constructed in 1099 by little-known Italian architect Lanfranco, Duomo di Modena, also known as Modena Cathedral, is one of the more important Romanesque buildings in Europe. Dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and Saint Geminianus, this massive structure was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

For scholars and enthusiasts of Arthurian legend, the cathedral is better known for its north gate, Porta della Pescheria ("Fish-market Gate"), and its archivolt. Decorated with high relief carvings of secular scenes from the Breton tales of King Arthur, these "Modena Archivolt" reliefs are one of the earliest depictions of the theme, featuring some characters that are not known anywhere else, whether in art or literature.

The frieze sculpture depicts the Knights of the Round Table's attack on the castle of King Maleagant, who has abducted and holds Guinevere, wife of King Arthur, captive. Here, Maleagant is identified as "Mardoc of the Dolorous Tower," and Guinevere is known as Winlogee. The knights in the Archivolt are named Artus Britani, Isdernus, Carrado, Galvagin, Che, and Galvariun, who likely correspond to Arthur, Yder, Caradoc, Gawain, Kay, and Galeshin, respectively.

This, however, remains a mere theory and there are many other opinions about Modena Archivolt. Some believe that the hero displayed is not Arthur, but Yder, while others claim that Isdernus corresponds to Sir Lancelot and not Yder. In spite of the characters' names, some also claim that the scene is not Arthurian at all, but something else.

There is also Burmalt, a knight serving King Mardoc and an otherwise unknown character in Arthurian lore. He may be related to Durmart, the King of Gaul whose adventures are told in an early 13th-century Old French romance titled Durmart le Galois. Another mystery that surrounds the carving is that it features one unnamed knight, whose identity is still unknown. 

Related Tags

King Arthur Legends Mythology Buildings Medieval

Know Before You Go

The cathedral is open Monday-Sunday from 7:30 a.m-12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Italy: Roman Carbonara, Florentine Steak & Venetian Cocktails

Savor local cuisine across Rome, Florence & Venice.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

Fred Cherrygarden

Edited By

pgrudin, mikermnz

  • pgrudin
  • mikermnz

Published

May 7, 2020

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Modena Archivolt
6 Via Lanfranco
Modena, 41121
Italy
44.646306, 10.925517
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Modena Synagogue

Modena, Italy

miles away

Lovers of Modena

Modena, Italy

miles away

NoviPark Roman Amphorae

Modena, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Modena

Modena

Italy

Places 5

Nearby Places

Modena Synagogue

Modena, Italy

miles away

Lovers of Modena

Modena, Italy

miles away

NoviPark Roman Amphorae

Modena, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Modena

Modena

Italy

Places 5

Related Places

  • King Arthur’s Stone.

    Cornwall, England

    King Arthur's Stone

    A 6th-century stone lies at the site of the mythical battle waged between King Arthur and his nemesis Mordred.

  • The Mermaid Chair in St. Senara’s Church

    Zennor, England

    Mermaid Chair

    This wooden chair dates possibly back to the 15th century, and commemorates a local legend.

  • The alleged tomb.

    Glastonbury, England

    'King Arthur's Tomb'

    In the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey lies the alleged resting place of the legendary king.

  • The Tomb of Antenor lies in the middle of Antenor square in Padua.

    Padua, Italy

    Tomb of Antenor

    The tomb of the mythological founder of Padua is not hidden in some obscure crypt, but stands right in the middle of the city square.

  • The Bures Dragon.

    Suffolk, England

    Bures Dragon

    A hill carving of the legendary dragon that terrorized the village of Bures in the Middle Ages.

  • Winchester Round Table in the Great Hall, Dendrochronology dating has placed it at 1275.

    Winchester, England

    Winchester Round Table

    A medieval replica of King Arthur's legendary table, the Round Table hanging in Winchester Castle was decorated by Henry VIII.

  • Tōno is known for its kappa folklore.

    Tōno City, Japan

    Kappabuchi Pool

    Visitors are encouraged to fish for water goblins at this haunted pool.

  • The stele is largely neglected and forgotten today.

    Sendai, Japan

    Kashikobuchi Spider Stele

    A long-forgotten homage to an eldritch, sassy spider yōkai that was once worshipped here as a god.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.