The church of Santa Maria Abbazia in Pomposa brings heaven to earth in many ways.
An arch in the interior colonnade houses the image of a star with eight points, alternating its eight elements with as many letters of the name “Pomposia”. The star, inscribed in a circle, has become the symbol of Pomposa and to a certain extent sums up its virtues.
The eight-pointed star is used in many cultures (Babylonian, Egyptian, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, agnostic) and is understood both in an astronomical sense (for the planet Venus, known as the ‘Morning Star’, and also for the North Star) and in a cosmological sense, to represent the order, unity and balance present in the creation of the world.
Christianity absorbed this symbol by associating it with the figure of Mary as a guide and herald of light, representing both purity and the figure of a mediator to achieve salvation.

The observation of the sky and astronomical phenomena (equinoxes, solstices, sunrise, sunset…) was also practised by Benedictine monks to orientate their churches and mark the link with dates significant to the Order (in addition to Christmas and Easter, the feast day dedicated to the patron saint or founder…): the point where the sun rises and sets on the horizon, the phases of the moon and other stars on particularly significant days of the year linked the astronomical and religious calendars, linking the harmony and cycles of the celestial vault with those recreated within the church walls.
Eight points or rays appear in other places throughout the basilica. A first clue… For the rest, simply lower your eyes to the ground.

– Photo shooting by Roberto Romagnoli –