0 favorites     0 comments    55 visits

Location

Lat, Lng:  
Lat, Lng:  
You can copy the above to your favourite mapping app.
Address:  unknown

 View on map

See also...


Keywords

portal
Innocent IV
Robert of Anjou
Jesus Gardener
Frederick II
Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta
Apulien
Puglia
Altamura
Italy
Italia
Altamura Cathedral


Authorizations, license

Visible by: Everyone
All rights reserved

55 visits


Altamura - Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta

Altamura - Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta
The area around the modern Altamura (pop 70.000) was inhabited in early times. There are Bronze Age tumuli and between the 6th and the 3rd century BC, a massive line of megalithic walls was erected. This (later Roman) city was inhabited until the 10th century when it was reportedly looted by Saracens. A couple of centuries after Altamura was reportedly looted by the Saracens, it started to be inhabited again as Emperor Frederick II refounded the city (1232) and ordered the construction of the large Altamura Cathedral, which became one of the most venerated sanctuaries in Apulia.

Altamura was ruled by various feudal families, including the Orsini del Balzo and the Farnese (1538–1734), the latter responsible for the construction of numerous palaces and churches. In the past, Altamura also had a large castle, whose construction dated back to the 11th-13th century, which has been completely demolished.

Altamura Cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta) is probably the only church that was ever founded by Frederick II. In 1248, under pressure from Frederick, Pope Innocent IV declared Altamura exempt from the jurisdiction of the bishop of Bari, making it a "palatine church", that is the equivalent of a palace chapel. After heavy damage caused by an earthquake in 1316, it was renovated by Robert of Anjou.

Major changes were made to the cathedral in 1534, including switching the front and back around! The cathedral's main facade originally faced west but it now faces east.

The (breathtaking) attraction of Altamura Cathedral is its main portal, which has been dated to the 14th and 15th centuries. It is Gothic, but in an unusual local style with Byzantine and strong Romanesque influences. I would even see this as "Romanesque/Gothic". It is remarkable for its wealth of details and a large number of biblical scenes.

John 20:14-16

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

"At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

Since I have already uploaded many photos taken here during previous trips, I will only add a few now.

If you would like to see more photos from Altamura, click here:

www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/1334214

Comments

Sign-in to write a comment.