Valle d'Aosta + Piemont + Liguria

The collegiate church, dedicated to Saint Ursus of Aosta, existed here already in Carolingian times. Ursus, who may have been Irish, was a missionary, who supported the Bishop of Aosta. When an Arian became bishop of Aosta, Ursus and other canons left the cathedral and settled outside the walls of Aosta at the present site of the collegiate church of Saint Ursus. A Romanesque church was built around 1000, but this church got altered and enlarged many times over the centuries. The facade of the church, seen here, was created 1492-1494. The campanile (left) dates to the 12th century.

The collegiate church, dedicated to Saint Ursus of Aosta, existed here already in Carolingian times. Ursus, who may have been Irish, was a missionary, who supported the Bishop of Aosta. When an Arian became bishop of Aosta, Ursus and other canons left the cathedral and settled outside the walls of Aosta at the present site of the collegiate church of Saint Ursus. A Romanesque church was built around 1000, but this church got rebuilt, altered and enlarged many times over the centuries. Most seen here is probably from the 15th century. There is a choir screen with three arches, behind the arches are the canons´ stalls.

The collegiate church, dedicated to Saint Ursus of Aosta, existed here already in Carolingian times. Ursus, who may have been Irish, was a missionary, who supported the Bishop of Aosta. When an Arian became bishop of Aosta, Ursus and other canons left the cathedral and settled outside the walls of Aosta at the present site of the collegiate church of Saint Ursus. A Romanesque church was built around 1000, but this church got rebuilt, altered and enlarged many times over the centuries. The stalls, behind the three arches of the choir screen, were carved masterly in 1486. A monkey and a dromedary.

The collegiate church, dedicated to Saint Ursus of Aosta, existed here already in Carolingian times. Ursus, who may have been Irish, was a missionary, who supported the Bishop of Aosta. When an Arian became bishop of Aosta, Ursus and other canons left the cathedral and settled outside the walls of Aosta at the present site of the collegiate church of Saint Ursus. A Romanesque church was built around 1000, but this church got rebuilt, altered and enlarged many times over the centuries. The stalls, behind the three arches of the choir screen, were carved masterly in 1486. A boar and a mermaid.

The collegiate church, dedicated to Saint Ursus of Aosta, existed here already in Carolingian times. Ursus, who may have been Irish, was a missionary, who supported the Bishop of Aosta. When an Arian became bishop of Aosta, Ursus and other canons left the cathedral and settled outside the walls of Aosta at the present site of the collegiate church of Saint Ursus. A Romanesque church was built around 1000, but this church got rebuilt, altered and enlarged many times over the centuries. Archaeologists unearthed this mosaic in 1999 - and now it can be seen under security glass. The mosaic is dated to the first half 12th century. It depicts long-haired Samson, killing the lion. Written around the scene are the words S A T O R A R E P O T E N E T O P E R A R O T A S A Latin palindrome known as the "Sator Square". What Wiki knows about it is here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sator_Square

The collegiate church, dedicated to Saint Ursus of Aosta, existed here already in Carolingian times. Ursus, who may have been Irish, was a missionary, who supported the Bishop of Aosta. When an Arian became bishop of Aosta, Ursus and other canons left the cathedral and settled outside the walls of Aosta at the present site of the collegiate church of Saint Ursus. A Romanesque church was built around 1000, but this church got rebuilt, altered and enlarged many times over the centuries. The crypt is the oldest part of the collegiate church. Here the relics of Saint Ursus were kept. In the 12th century the relics of Aosta´s patron Saint Gratus of Aosta were "translated" to this crypt - and so even more pilgrims walked through here.

The collegiate church, dedicated to Saint Ursus of Aosta, existed here already in Carolingian times. Ursus, who may have been Irish, was a missionary, who supported the Bishop of Aosta. When an Arian became bishop of Aosta, Ursus and other canons left the cathedral and settled outside the walls of Aosta at the present site of the collegiate church of Saint Ursus. A Romanesque church was built around 1000, but this church got rebuilt, altered and enlarged many times over the centuries. The beautiful cloister, next to the basilica, was erected mid 12th century. It got restored end of teh 15th century, but 37 of the 42 original capitals are still "in situ". The now darkgrey capitals were white, when they were carved. This is a wonderful, quiet place.

The collegiate church, dedicated to Saint Ursus of Aosta, existed here already in Carolingian times. Ursus, who may have been Irish, was a missionary, who supported the Bishop of Aosta. When an Arian became bishop of Aosta, Ursus and other canons left the cathedral and settled outside the walls of Aosta at the present site of the collegiate church of Saint Ursus. A Romanesque church was built around 1000, but this church got rebuilt, altered and enlarged many times over the centuries. The beautiful cloister, next to the basilica, was erected mid 12th century. It got restored end of teh 15th century, but 37 of the 42 original capitals are still "in situ". The now darkgrey capitals were white, when they were carved. This is a wonderful, quiet place.

The collegiate church, dedicated to Saint Ursus of Aosta, existed here already in Carolingian times. Ursus, who may have been Irish, was a missionary, who supported the Bishop of Aosta. When an Arian became bishop of Aosta, Ursus and other canons left the cathedral and settled outside the walls of Aosta at the present site of the collegiate church of Saint Ursus. A Romanesque church was built around 1000, but this church got rebuilt, altered and enlarged many times over the centuries. The beautiful cloister, next to the basilica, was erected mid 12th century. It got restored end of teh 15th century, but 37 of the 42 original capitals are still "in situ". The now darkgrey capitals were white, when they were carved. The story of the Shadrak, Mishak, and Abednego in the furnace. The had refused to worship Nebuchadnezzar´s new image of gold. Daniel 3:19-21 "Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace."

The collegiate church, dedicated to Saint Ursus of Aosta, existed here already in Carolingian times. Ursus, who may have been Irish, was a missionary, who supported the Bishop of Aosta. When an Arian became bishop of Aosta, Ursus and other canons left the cathedral and settled outside the walls of Aosta at the present site of the collegiate church of Saint Ursus. A Romanesque church was built around 1000, but this church got rebuilt, altered and enlarged many times over the centuries. The beautiful cloister, next to the basilica, was erected mid 12th century. It got restored end of teh 15th century, but 37 of the 42 original capitals are still "in situ". The now darkgrey capitals were white, when they were carved. Here are two sides of the same capital. The "Nativity of Christ". While (on the left) Joseph is contemplating and Mary is recovering on the birthing bed, (on the right) young, swaddled Jesus is watched over by ox and ass. Further right is Joseph (again)

The collegiate church, dedicated to Saint Ursus of Aosta, existed here already in Carolingian times. Ursus, who may have been Irish, was a missionary, who supported the Bishop of Aosta. When an Arian became bishop of Aosta, Ursus and other canons left the cathedral and settled outside the walls of Aosta at the present site of the collegiate church of Saint Ursus. A Romanesque church was built around 1000, but this church got rebuilt, altered and enlarged many times over the centuries. The beautiful cloister, next to the basilica, was erected mid 12th century. It got restored end of teh 15th century, but 37 of the 42 original capitals are still "in situ". The now darkgrey capitals were white, when they were carved. Here are two neighbouring capitals. Here are the Magi, holding the presents. Seen in the caital in background is Joseph, leading the ass on the Flight into Egypt". Depicted on another side of that second capital is Mary, holding Jesus, - and the ass.

The collegiate church, dedicated to Saint Ursus of Aosta, existed here already in Carolingian times. Ursus, who may have been Irish, was a missionary, who supported the Bishop of Aosta. When an Arian became bishop of Aosta, Ursus and other canons left the cathedral and settled outside the walls of Aosta at the present site of the collegiate church of Saint Ursus. A Romanesque church was built around 1000, but this church got rebuilt, altered and enlarged many times over the centuries. The beautiful cloister, next to the basilica, was erected mid 12th century. It got restored end of teh 15th century, but 37 of the 42 original capitals are still "in situ". The now darkgrey capitals were white, when they were carved. Nineteen prophets from the Old Testament are depicted. Here are the portrays of DANIEL - ASPICIEBAM IN VISU NOCTIS referring to Dan 7:13 "In my vision at night I looked - (and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence)" and ABDIAS (= Obadiah) - P(ER)DA(M) SAPIENTES DE IDUMEA referring to Ob 1:8 "(In that day," declares the Lord,) "will I not destroy the wise men of Edom (those of understanding in the mountains of Esau?)"

The collegiate church, dedicated to Saint Ursus of Aosta, existed here already in Carolingian times. Ursus, who may have been Irish, was a missionary, who supported the Bishop of Aosta. When an Arian became bishop of Aosta, Ursus and other canons left the cathedral and settled outside the walls of Aosta at the present site of the collegiate church of Saint Ursus. A Romanesque church was built around 1000, but this church got rebuilt, altered and enlarged many times over the centuries. The beautiful cloister, next to the basilica, was erected mid 12th century. It got restored end of teh 15th century, but 37 of the 42 original capitals are still "in situ". The now darkgrey capitals were white, when they were carved. Here is an illustration of one of the best known of Aesop's fables. The Fox and the Stork. The fox invites the stork to eat with him and provides soup in a shallow bowl, which the fox can lap up easily; however, the stork cannot drink it with its beak. The stork then invites the fox to a meal, which is served in a narrow-necked vessel. It is easy for the stork to access but impossible for the fox.

The collegiate church, dedicated to Saint Ursus of Aosta, existed here already in Carolingian times. Ursus, who may have been Irish, was a missionary, who supported the Bishop of Aosta. When an Arian became bishop of Aosta, Ursus and other canons left the cathedral and settled outside the walls of Aosta at the present site of the collegiate church of Saint Ursus. A Romanesque church was built around 1000, but this church got rebuilt, altered and enlarged many times over the centuries. The beautiful cloister, next to the basilica, was erected mid 12th century. It got restored end of teh 15th century, but 37 of the 42 original capitals are still "in situ". The now darkgrey capitals were white, when they were carved. Episodes from Saint Ursus´ life are on the most complex capital here, that is more a frieze, as the capital is round. Seen here is the death of the Bishop Ploceano, whose soul becomes the prize of ravens and horned devils. "DIABOLI CORVI" is carved in.

The collegiate church, dedicated to Saint Ursus of Aosta, existed here already in Carolingian times. Ursus, who may have been Irish, was a missionary, who supported the Bishop of Aosta. When an Arian became bishop of Aosta, Ursus and other canons left the cathedral and settled outside the walls of Aosta at the present site of the collegiate church of Saint Ursus. A Romanesque church was built around 1000, but this church got rebuilt, altered and enlarged many times over the centuries. The beautiful cloister, next to the basilica, was erected mid 12th century. It got restored end of teh 15th century, but 37 of the 42 original capitals are still "in situ". The now darkgrey capitals were white, when they were carved. Goats, sheep and dromedaries..

The first Christian church was built here at the site of a Roman temple in the 4th century. A tree nave basilica existed in the 9th century. A Romanesque cathedral was built, when Bishop Warmund (= Warmondo) had his episcopal see here, end of the 10th century. It is known, that this church had a "westwerk", following the Ottonian architecture, popular at that time north of the Alpes. Alterations and rebuildings were undertaken in the 13th, 15th and 16th century. In 1785, it was rebuilt again in a Baroque style. The current neo-classical façade was built in the 19th century.

The first Christian church was built here at the site of a Roman temple in the 4th century. A tree nave basilica existed in the 9th century. A Romanesque cathedral was built, when Bishop Warmund (= Warmondo) had his episcopal see here, end of the 10th century. It is known, that this church had a "westwerk", following the Ottonian architecture, popular at that time north of the Alpes. Alterations and rebuildings were undertaken in the 13th, 15th and 16th century. In 1785, it was rebuilt again in a Baroque style.

The first Christian church was built here at the site of a Roman temple in the 4th century. A tree nave basilica existed in the 9th century. A Romanesque cathedral was built, when Bishop Warmund (= Warmondo) had his episcopal see here, end of the 10th century. It is known, that this church had a "westwerk", following the Ottonian architecture, popular at that time north of the Alpes. Alterations and rebuildings were undertaken in the 13th, 15th and 16th century. In 1785 it was rebuilt again in a Baroque style, but parts of the ambulatory (seen here) and the crypt below the choir were not demolished and are still originating from the Romanesque church. Seen on the left is the entrance to the stairs leading down to the crypt.