Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Grand Duchess of 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. "San Salvatore" belonged to a convent, that was founded within the 8th century. Sponsored by the Carolingians (Louis the Pious), the nunnery was the richest in Lucca during medieval times. The convent existed upto 1808, when under the reign of Napoleon´s eldest sister Elisa Bonaparte, Princess of Lucca and Piombino and Grand Duchess of Tuscany, all convents in Lucca got secularized. For a while it served as the local hospital. The church, seen here, was built within the 12th century, but got renovated in remodeled a couple of times, especially during the 19th century. Some carvings of the old structure survived the centuries. A closer look onto the carving and the "signature". Next to the nude saint "S NICH - OLAU" Below, left side "P b R P " (??) and on the vessel a very large (and proud) aignature "BIDUINO ME FECIT HOC -OP(us)"

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. "San Salvatore" belonged to a convent, that was founded within the 8th century. Sponsored by the Carolingians (Louis the Pious), the nunnery was the richest in Lucca during medieval times. The convent existed upto 1808, when under the reign of Napoleon´s eldest sister Elisa Bonaparte, Princess of Lucca and Piombino and Grand Duchess of Tuscany, all convents in Lucca got secularized. For a while it served as the local hospital. The church, seen here, was built within the 12th century, but got renovated in remodeled a couple of times, especially during the 19th century. Some carvings of the old structure survived the centuries. A nude saint (halo) being lifted out of a vessel. To the sides are towers/towns (?) from where people watch the scene. Note the two lions on the right. This is probably a legend connected to Saint Nicholas, as his name is written next to the nude saint. The large inscription on the vessel reads: "Biduino me fecit hoc - op(us)"

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. "San Salvatore" belonged to a convent, that was founded within the 8th century. Sponsored by the Carolingians (Louis the Pious), the nunnery was the richest in Lucca during medieval times. The convent existed upto 1808, when under the reign of Napoleon´s eldest sister Elisa Bonaparte, Princess of Lucca and Piombino and Grand Duchess of Tuscany, all convents in Lucca got secularized. For a while it served as the local hospital. The church, seen here, was built within the 12th century, but got renovated in remodeled a couple of times, especially during the 19th century. Some carvings of the old structure survived the centuries. Here is a lintel, that I cannot "read". Two saints (halos) distribute food to the nobility (left) and to the commoners (right). ?? Or do the saints bless the food?

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. "San Salvatore" belonged to a convent, that was founded within the 8th century. Sponsored by the Carolingians (Louis the Pious), the nunnery was the richest in Lucca during medieval times. The convent existed upto 1808, when under the reign of Napoleon´s eldest sister Elisa Bonaparte, Princess of Lucca and Piombino and Grand Duchess of Tuscany, all convents in Lucca got secularized. For a while it served as the local hospital. The church, seen here, was built within the 12th century, but got renovated in remodeled a couple of times, especially during the 19th century.