Italy

Vicofertile, located at the old Via Francigena, is meanwhile is a small suburb of the City of Parma. A church probably existed in Vicofertile already within the 9th century, but the church mentioned in a document from 1039 was smaller than the church seen here. Excavations found the foundations about 50cms under the floor of San Geminiano. Today´s church was erected around 1200. The roof burned down in 1325, but got rebuilt soon after. The church got modified a couple of times, but a a restoration undertaken in the early 20th century got rid of all Baroque additions.

The Oratorio di San Giorgio was mentioned already within the 10th century. As the River Po is not far away, the structure did suffer from numerous flooding over the centuries and so was abandoned, until a hermit resettled here in the 15th century. Restoration works started in 1932, during an excavation a paleochristian carving was unearthed depicting an Agnus Dei. It is dated to the 6th century. Unfortunately the oratory was locked.

The Basilica di San Pietro e Paolo is known since the 9th century, as the erection was funded by Engelberga, the powerful wife of Louis II (aka "Louis the Younger"). Louis II was the King of Italy and Roman Emperor from 844, co-ruling with his father Lothair I until 855, after which he ruled alone. In October 1106 the "Council of Guastalla" took place here. The council was chaired by Pope Paschal II. The dignitaries discussed the relationship to Clement III, the (Anti-)Pope by the grace Henry IV, whom Clement III had crowned Holy Roman Emperor. Another episode of the very long investiture controversy. The friendly gardener, who was cleaning the place, opened the church for us. Mille grazie!

The Basilica di San Pietro e Paolo is known since the 9th century, as the erection was funded by Engelberga, the powerful wife of Louis II (aka "Louis the Younger"). Louis II was the King of Italy and Roman Emperor from 844, co-ruling with his father Lothair I until 855, after which he ruled alone. In October 1106 the "Council of Guastalla" took place here. The council was chaired by Pope Paschal II. The dignitaries discussed the relationship to Clement III, the (Anti-)Pope by the grace Henry IV, whom Clement III had crowned Holy Roman Emperor. Another episode of the very long investiture controversy.

A church in the village of Quarantoli, now part of the town Mirandola, is known already since the 9th century. On the initiative of Matilda of Canossa (aka "Matilda of Tuscany") the red-brick-church of today was built on the foundation of the predecessing in the early 12th century. An inscription tells, that it was consecrated in November 1114. The church survived the times, but got severely damaged in May 2012, when two major earthquakes hit Northern Italy. The epicenters of the two quakes were only 10 - 20kms away. Since then the church hidden is in scaffoldings, just to hold the structure. Renovations or rebuildings had not started in 2015.

The construction of the Cattedrale di San Giorgio began in the early 12th century, when the city was taken by Matilda of Tuscany (aka "Matilde di Canossa"). When the new cathedral was consecrated in 1135 it was not completed at all. It was - and still is - located in the center of the city. The lower part of the facade is Romanesque was probably built in the first half of the 11th century. The building process was continued a century later in Gothic style. A "renovation" of the Ferrara Cathedral done in the early 18th century resulted in a demolition. Only the facade and the outer walls survived. The the medieval interior and the apses, that once existed are lost. The portal is attributed to Master Niccolò (aka "Nicholaus"), who (or his workshop) worked as well in Verona (San Zeno) and Piacenza (Cathedral). The upper part of the narthex depicts the "Last Judgement", a popular theme (eg Conques, Autun, Moissac, Sangüesa) here is seen in a delicate style of transition from from Romanesque to Gothic. Souls rise from open graves. Above them Archangel Michael holds a scale doing the "Weighing of the Souls". A little devil tries to hold down the right side. The sinners leave -naked- to the right side, the good souls - nicely dressed to the left. Above all Christ in a mandorla, showing the "Five Holy Wounds". I have added the neighbouring carvings (in a larger scale). To the left the good souls are saved in the "Bosom of Abraham", to the right the poor souls are stuffed by evil devils into the "Mouth of Hell".

The construction of the Cattedrale di San Giorgio began in the early 12th century, when the city was taken by Matilda of Tuscany (aka "Matilde di Canossa"). When the new cathedral was consecrated in 1135 it was not completed at all. It was - and still is - located in the center of the city. The lower part of the facade is Romanesque was probably built in the first half of the 11th century. The building process was continued a century later in Gothic style. A "renovation" of the Ferrara Cathedral done in the early 18th century resulted in a demolition. Only the facade and the outer walls survived. The the medieval interior and the apses, that once existed are lost. The portal is attributed to Master Niccolò (aka "Nicholaus"), who (or his workshop) worked as well in Verona (San Zeno) and Piacenza (Cathedral). Some more details of the Romanesque facade. To the left is a wolf, dressed as a monk, holding a book. The wolf may be an alumnus of the wolf-schools, that occasionally could be found in medieval times (eg. in Saint-Ursanne and Freiburg). One of his collegues lives in Verona. To the right a headless man holding a dog. Mythical headless men were rumored, in antiquity and later, to inhabit very remote parts of the world. They are known as akephaloi or Blemmyes.

The construction of the Cattedrale di San Giorgio began in the early 12th century, when the city was taken by Matilda of Tuscany (aka "Matilde di Canossa"). When the new cathedral was consecrated in 1135 it was not completed at all. It was - and still is - located in the center of the city. The lower part of the facade is Romanesque was probably built in the first half of the 11th century. The building process was continued a century later in Gothic style. A "renovation" of the Ferrara Cathedral done in the early 18th century resulted in a demolition. Only the facade and the outer walls survived. The the medieval interior and the apses, that once existed are lost. The portal is attributed to Master Niccolò (aka "Nicholaus"), who (or his workshop) worked as well in Verona (San Zeno) and Piacenza (Cathedral). Some details of the Romanesque facade. Mythical and exotique creatures populate the archivolts. A mermaid and a centaur to the left, a camel and a giant bird (holdig a knife) to the right.

The construction of the Cattedrale di San Giorgio began in the early 12th century, when the city was taken by Matilda of Tuscany (aka "Matilde di Canossa"). When the new cathedral was consecrated in 1135 it was not completed at all. It was - and still is - located in the center of the city. The lower part of the facade is Romanesque was probably built in the first half of the 11th century. The building process was continued a century later in Gothic style. A "renovation" of the Ferrara Cathedral done in the early 18th century resulted in a demolition. Only the facade and the outer walls survived. The the medieval interior and the apses, that once existed are lost. The portal is attributed to Master Niccolò (aka "Nicholaus"), who (or his workshop) worked as well in Verona (San Zeno) and Piacenza (Cathedral). The lintel over the door depicts the biblical story from the Annunciation to the Baptism in the River Jordan (see previous upload). Here are the Magi. The Magi, seen in Ravenna, are about 6-7 centuries older. They wore phrygian caps and "leggings". Here the (elder!) Magi wear crowns and luxurious "mid european" clothing. The gifts they bring seem as well to be more valuable. At least the vessels are larger. Political spin-doctors have "morphed" the Magi to Kings. In medieval times they are mostly depicted as Kings, bringing them into a lineage to the contemporary Royalties. So the pious subjects should see them has forefathers of the medieval Emperors - and they probably did.

The construction of the Cattedrale di San Giorgio began in the early 12th century, when the city was taken by Matilda of Tuscany (aka "Matilde di Canossa"). When the new cathedral was consecrated in 1135 it was not completed at all. It was - and still is - located in the center of the city. The lower part of the facade is Romanesque was probably built in the first half of the 11th century. The building process was continued a century later in Gothic style. A "renovation" of the Ferrara Cathedral done in the early 18th century resulted in a demolition. Only the facade and the outer walls survived. The the medieval interior and the apses, that once existed are lost. The portal is attributed to Master Niccolò (aka "Nicholaus"), who (or his workshop) worked as well in Verona (San Zeno) and Piacenza (Cathedral). Saint George, who is the patron saint of Ferrara, kills the dragon on the tympanum over the doors. The lintel below depicts the biblical story from the Annunciation (left) to the Baptism in the River Jordan.

The construction of the Cattedrale di San Giorgio began in the early 12th century, when the city was taken by Matilda of Tuscany (aka "Matilde di Canossa"). When the new cathedral was consecrated in 1135 it was not completed at all. It was - and still is - located in the center of the city. The lower part of the facade is Romanesque was probably built in the first half of the 11th century. The building process was continued a century later in Gothic style. A "renovation" of the Ferrara Cathedral done in the early 18th century resulted in a demolition. Only the facade and the outer walls survived. The the medieval interior and the apses, that once existed are lost. Upto the "renovation" the cathedral had a Romanesque southern portal. It got destroyed, but some parts from that portal like this griffin survived - and now guard the main facade together with the two portal lions who carry atlantes on the back - and so support the narthex. The portal is attributed to Master Niccolò (aka "Nicholaus"), who (or his workshop) worked as well in Verona (San Zeno) and Piacenza (Cathedral).

The construction of the Cattedrale di San Giorgio began in the early 12th century, when the city was taken by Matilda of Tuscany (aka "Matilde di Canossa"). When the new cathedral was consecrated in 1135 it was not completed at all. It was - and still is - located in the center of the city. The lower part of the facade is Romanesque was probably built in the first half of the 11th century. The building process was continued a century later in Gothic style. A "renovation" of the Ferrara Cathedral done in the early 18th century resulted in a demolition. Only the facade and the outer walls survived. The the medieval interior and the apses, that once existed are lost. There is amazing number of different pillars all along the old wall (see previous uploud) and some nice capitals. Here a monkey peeps through the leaves.

The construction of the Cattedrale di San Giorgio began in the early 12th century, when the city was taken by Matilda of Tuscany (aka "Matilde di Canossa"). When the new cathedral was consecrated in 1135 it was not completed at all. It was - and still is - located in the center of the city. The lower part of the facade is Romanesque was probably built in the first half of the 11th century. The building process was continued a century later in Gothic style. The campanile was added to the cathedral in the second half of the 15th century, but never got completed. A "renovation" of the Ferrara Cathedral done in the early 18th century resulted in a demolition. Only the facade and the outer walls survived. The the medieval interior (five aisles) and the five apses, that once existed are lost. Seen from this side is the 18th century structure built into the old walls.

The construction of the Cattedrale di San Giorgio began in the early 12th century, when the city was taken by Matilda of Tuscany (aka "Matilde di Canossa"). When the new cathedral was consecrated in 1135 it was not completed at all. It was - and still is - located in the center of the city. The lower part of the facade is Romanesque was probably built in the first half of the 11th century. The building process was continued a century later in Gothic style. A "renovation" of the Ferrara Cathedral done in the early 18th century resulted in a demolition. Only the facade and the outer walls survived. The the medieval interior (five aisles) and the five apses, that once existed are lost.

The Mausoleo di Teodorico ("Mausoleum of Theoderich") was erected in 520 as the future tomb of Theodorich the Great. At that time it was outside the city and surrounded by a Gothic graveyard. The structure of the mausoleum is divided into two decagons, one above the other. Both are made of stones from Istria (today part of Croatia). Its roof is a single 300–ton Istrian stone, 10 meters in diameter! The lower room was probably a chapel for funeral liturgies. In the room above is the porphyry stone tomb, seen here. In this tomb Theoderich was buried, after he had died in 526. When Byzantine Emperor Justinian's general Belisarius had taken Ravenna in 540, Theoderich´s bones were scattered and his mausoleum was converted to a Christian oratory. Like many structures of that age in Ravenna, the mausoleum was built on soft ground. Finally silting from the river Badareno had partly submerged it. So in the late 19th century the area around was drained, the mausoleum got excavated and restored. Theoderich was remembered in Germanic legend as "Dietrich von Bern". Bern is the Middle High German name for Verona. On the tomb are many small graffiti, maybe dating from the time of Belisarius.

The Mausoleo di Teodorico ("Mausoleum of Theoderich") was erected in 520 as the future tomb of Theodorich the Great. At that time it was outside the city and surrounded by a Gothic graveyard. The structure of the mausoleum is divided into two decagons, one above the other. Both are made of stones from Istria (today part of Croatia). Its roof is a single 300–ton Istrian stone, 10 meters in diameter! The lower room was probably a chapel for funeral liturgies. In the room above is the porphyry stone tomb, in which Theoderic was buried, after he had died in 526. When Byzantine Emperor Justinian's general Belisarius had taken Ravenna in 540, Theoderich´s bones were scattered and his mausoleum was converted to a Christian oratory. Like many structures of that age in Ravenna, the mausoleum was built on soft ground. Finally silting from the river Badareno had partly submerged it. So in the late 19th century the area around was drained, the mausoleum got excavated and restored. Theoderich was remembered in Germanic legend as "Dietrich von Bern". Bern is the Middle High German name for Verona.

The Mausoleo di Teodorico ("Mausoleum of Theoderich") was erected in 520 as the future tomb of Theodorich the Great. At that time it was outside the city and surrounded by a Gothic graveyard. The structure of the mausoleum is divided into two decagons, one above the other. Both are made of stones from Istria (today part of Croatia). Its roof is a single 300–ton Istrian stone, 10 meters in diameter! The lower room was probably a chapel for funeral liturgies. In the room above is the porphyry stone tomb, in which Theoderic was buried, after he had died in 526. When Byzantine Emperor Justinian's general Belisarius had taken Ravenna in 540, Theoderich´s bones were scattered and his mausoleum was converted to a Christian oratory. Like many structures of that age in Ravenna, the mausoleum was built on soft ground. Finally silting from the river Badareno had partly submerged it. So in the late 19th century the area around was drained, the mausoleum got excavated and restored. Theoderich was remembered in Germanic legend as "Dietrich von Bern". Bern is the Middle High German name for Verona.

The Battistero degli Ariani (Arian Baptistery) was erected by Theodorich the Great, after he had taken Ravenna in 493. The Ostrogoths and their King Theodorich were Arian Christs. The Arian Baptistery is very much like the nearby (catholic/orthodox) Battistero Neoniano ("Baptistery of Neon") completed under Bishop Neon about 50 years earlier, but smaller. After Byzantine Emperor Justinian's general Belisarius had taken Ravenna in 540, and after the condemnation of the Arian sect, this baptistery was converted into an oratory named Santa Maria. Orthodox monks added a monastery during the period of the Exarchate of Ravenna and further dedicated the structure to Saint Maria in Cosmedin. Over the centuries the octagonal brick structure has sunken about 2,30 meters into the ground. The mosaic of the baptistery´s dome. Seems a bit like a simplified copy of the mosaic of the Battistero Neoniano. Here the the diameter of the dome is smaller, so the composition had to be "simpler". While in the Neonano are two concentruc bands around the central medaillion, here is only one. The center, seen here, is similar. Christ standing up to his waist in the water of the River Jordan. Christ is young, beardless and - naked. He is flanked by John the Baptist and a personification of the River Jordan. Over his head the white dove.