Pisa, Lucca and Pistoia

This museum holds a large collection of the works of art. Here are the originals, many of which are meanwhile replaced with replicas all around he Piazza dei Miracoli, as many of them crumbled and weathered. The museum is well worth a visit, but was closed (for a year?) in autumn 2014. Following the information given, this ivory casket was produced in the Byzantine Empire within the 11th century. To the right a lion and a griffin chase a hare. To the left a very common motif: two birds drinking from a chalice. Above them four little nudes dance, holding girdles of flowers (?). The left one blows a kind of instrument, the rights one seems to have a animal head (?).

This museum holds a large collection of the works of art. Here are the originals, many of which are meanwhile replaced with replicas all around he Piazza dei Miracoli, as many of them crumbled and weathered. The museum is well worth a visit, but was closed (for a year?) in autumn 2014. Following the information given, this ivory casket was produced in the Byzantine Empire within the 11th century. This side shows, that the hare got caught by the lion (see previous upload), maybe the griffin waits for his share of the prey. The nude "dancers" here hold musical instruments.

This museum holds a large collection of the works of art. Here are the originals, many of which are meanwhile replaced with replicas all around he Piazza dei Miracoli, as many of them crumbled and weathered. The museum is well worth a visit, but was closed (for a year?) in autumn 2014. The apse of the Cathedral with the replica of the "Pisa Griffin" (see previous uploads) towering over it - and the Leaning Tower. This panorama, seen from the museum, was once admired as well by Mr. Pierot, who carved his name into the balustrade.

A legend tells, that Ubaldo Lanfranchi, archbishop of Pisa, returning home from the cruisade in 1203, brought home a shipload of sacred soil from Golgotha. This was the start of this cemetery. The construction of the oblong cloister began in 1278, stopped after the Battle of Meloria (1284) and was finally completed in 1464.

A legend tells, that Ubaldo Lanfranchi, archbishop of Pisa, returning home from the cruisade in 1203, brought home a shipload of sacred soil from Golgotha. This was the start of this cemetery. The construction of the oblong cloister began in 1278, stopped after the Battle of Meloria (1284) and was finally completed in 1464.

A legend tells, that Ubaldo Lanfranchi, archbishop of Pisa, returning home from the cruisade in 1203, brought home a shipload of sacred soil from Golgotha. This was the start of this cemetery. The construction of the oblong cloister began in 1278, stopped after the Battle of Meloria (1284) and was finally completed in 1464.

A legend tells, that Ubaldo Lanfranchi, archbishop of Pisa, returning home from the cruisade in 1203, brought home a shipload of sacred soil from Golgotha. This was the start of this cemetery. The construction of the oblong cloister began in 1278, stopped after the Battle of Meloria (1284) and was finally completed in 1464. Sarcophagi line the walls. Seen in the background is the cupola of the cathedral and the top of the Leaning Tower. During WW2 the Camposanto got severely damaged.

A legend tells, that Ubaldo Lanfranchi, archbishop of Pisa, returning home from the cruisade in 1203, brought home a shipload of sacred soil from Golgotha. This was the start of this cemetery. The construction of the oblong cloister began in 1278, stopped after the Battle of Meloria (1284) and was finally completed in 1464. Ancient sarcophagi line the walls. Most of the large frescoes are attributed to Buonamico Buffalmacco (aka "Bonamico di Martino da Firenze").

Lucca existed already in Etruscan times and became a Roman colony in 180 BC. The Diocese of Lucca dates back to the first century, legends tell, that St. Paulinus, a disciple of St. Peter, was the first Bishop of Lucca. In medieval times Lucca was the residence of the Margraves of Tuscany. After the death of Matilda of Tuscany (1115), Lucca constituted itself as an independent republic. Actually the "Republic of Lucca" existed from 1160 to 1805. I learned, that Santa Maria Forisportam, erected within the 12th century, was modelled after the Duomo of Pisa. Well, many churches in Tuscany were modeled after the Duomo of Pisa. It was affiliated to Canons Regular from the 16th century. The facade, seen here, has some interesting carvings.

Lucca existed already in Etruscan times and became a Roman colony in 180 BC. The Diocese of Lucca dates back to the first century, legends tell, that St. Paulinus, a disciple of St. Peter, was the first Bishop of Lucca. In medieval times Lucca was the residence of the Margraves of Tuscany. After the death of Matilda of Tuscany (1115), Lucca constituted itself as an independent republic. Actually the "Republic of Lucca" existed from 1160 to 1805. I learned, that Santa Maria Forisportam, erected within the 12th century, was modelled after the Duomo of Pisa. Well, many churches in Tuscany were modeled after the Duomo of Pisa. It was affiliated to Canons Regular from the 16th century. The facade has some interesting carvings. Here a lion and a griffin guard the door below.

Lucca existed already in Etruscan times and became a Roman colony in 180 BC. The Diocese of Lucca dates back to the first century, legends tell, that St. Paulinus, a disciple of St. Peter, was the first Bishop of Lucca. In medieval times Lucca was the residence of the Margraves of Tuscany. After the death of Matilda of Tuscany (1115), Lucca constituted itself as an independent republic. Actually the "Republic of Lucca" existed from 1160 to 1805. I learned, that Santa Maria Forisportam, erected within the 12th century, was modelled after the Duomo of Pisa. Well, many churches in Tuscany were modeled after the Duomo of Pisa. It was affiliated to Canons Regular from the 16th century. The facade has some interesting carvings. Above the guarding couple of beasts (previous upload) a majestic Madonna is seated on a throne. The gesture is still Romanesque.

Lucca existed already in Etruscan times and became a Roman colony in 180 BC. The Diocese of Lucca dates back to the first century, legends tell, that St. Paulinus, a disciple of St. Peter, was the first Bishop of Lucca. In medieval times Lucca was the residence of the Margraves of Tuscany. After the death of Matilda of Tuscany (1115), Lucca constituted itself as an independent republic. Actually the "Republic of Lucca" existed from 1160 to 1805. I learned, that Santa Maria Forisportam, erected within the 12th century, was modelled after the Duomo of Pisa. Well, many churches in Tuscany were modeled after the Duomo of Pisa. It was affiliated to Canons Regular from the 16th century. The canons had built a cloister next to Santa Maria Forisportam. This was a nice and dry place - during the pouring rain.

Sant'Andrea, believed to have been Pistoia´s ancient cathedral, is thought to date back to the period of Lombard domination. The present day church dates to the mid 12th century. Inside Sant'Andrea is this masterpiece of Giovanni Pisani, who created this great marble pulpit created 1298 - 1301. It is sometimes compared to the pulpits sculpted by Giovanni's father Nicola in the Baptistery of Pisa and the Duomo of Siena, which Giovanni had assisted with. The Pisanis´ works are often described as "proto-Renaissance". There is an inscription here, telling that the work was commissioned by Arnoldus and supervised by Andrea Vitelli and Tino di Vitale. It continues ".. Giovanni carved it (...), the son of Nicola, and blessed with higher skill.." The large Eagle of St John is a copy, as the original was stolen (?) and now is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/465937 October is not the best month for interior photos, it's getting dim already in the afternoon. --- I just found that another carving from here (or Pisa) is in a Berlin museum. www.smb-digital.de/eMuseumPlus?service=ExternalInterface&module=collection&objectId=868114&viewType=detailView

The construction of the octagonal "Battistero di San Giovanni in Corte" started in 1303. It is discussed whether there was a planning contribution from Nicola Pisano (Pisa Baptistry, + 1278), but there is no proof. The building was completed in 1361 by Cellino di Nese, who had actually worked in Pisa before. The baptistery is 40 metres high. The exterior is entirely covered with white and green marble. Once here was a lombard church, named "Santa Maria in Corte". It got demolished and replaced by the baptistery, leaving an addition to the name of the "Battistero di San Giovanni in Corte".

The construction of the octogonal "Battistero di San Giovanni in Corte" started in 1303. It is discussed whether there was a planning contribution from Nicola Pisano (Pisa Baptistry, + 1278), but there is no proof. The building was completed in 1361 by Cellino di Nese, who had actually worked in Pisa before. The baptistery is 40 metres high. The exterior is entirely covered with white and green marble. The tympanum over the main portal.

It had started to rain, when I left Pisa. The rain poured down, when I arrived in Lucca, 20km northeast. For the next 10 days, the rain did not stop. Maybe early March is not the best time to travel in Tuscany.

Lucca existed already in Etruscan times and became a Roman colony in 180 BC. The Diocese of Lucca dates back to the first century, legends tell, that St. Paulinus, a disciple of St. Peter, was the first Bishop of Lucca. In medieval times Lucca was the residence of the Margraves of Tuscany. After the death of Matilda of Tuscany (1115), Lucca constituted itself as an independent republic. Actually the "Republic of Lucca" existed from 1160 to 1805. Walking through the rain to the hotel I saw, that July would be a perfect month to visit Lucca.

Lucca existed already in Etruscan times and became a Roman colony in 180 BC. The Diocese of Lucca dates back to the first century, legends tell, that St. Paulinus, a disciple of St. Peter, was the first Bishop of Lucca. In medieval times Lucca was the residence of the Margraves of Tuscany. After the death of Matilda of Tuscany (1115), Lucca constituted itself as an independent republic. Actually the "Republic of Lucca" existed from 1160 to 1805. Approaching the Cathedral of Saint Martin, the seat of the Archbishop of Lucca. The construction of the cathedral started in 1063, when Anselm (later Pope Alexander II) was bishop here. Of the original structure the apse and the campanile, seen here, remain.