 The cathedral's original "gràdule", constructed by Giovanni Pisano and dating from the late 13th century, were replaced in 1865 by the present parvise.These marble panels, decorated with carved animal figures and faces, were used to create a low wall which was placed close to the outer perimeter of the cathedral and which created an enclosure that provided space for the numerous sarcophagi from the Roman period.During the Middle Ages, these panels were reused for burials of nobles (among them Beatrice of Lorraine) and other well known persons.