Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Abbazia di Sant'Antimo

It is proven, that the Abbazia di Sant'Antimo existed since Carolingian times. Legends (of course) know, that it was Charlemagne himself, who founded the abbey when he had left Rome, following the Via Francigena northward. The earliest document relating to the abbey is a land grant of Charlemagne´s son Louis the Pious from 813. One year after the 1117 earthquake the erection of the church of today started. At that time the powerful abbey was one of the largest landowners in the area. As sovereigns and imperial officials at the same time, they also levied taxes. The decline began with Siena's awakening striving for power, which conquered Montalcino in 1212. In the following decades, the property of the monastery shrank to a fifth. The church was never completed in the years that followed, as the complex construction probably exceeded the abbey's financial possibilities. A sign of decay is the unfinished facade. New religious ideas gained influence. The then new orders of the Franciscans and Dominicans, whose monasteries were not built in the cities, gained strength. The Benedictine wish to be able to follow the rule ora et labora in seclusion was pushed into the background. In 1462 Pope Pius II suppressed the abbey, annexed whatever was left - and handed it over to the Bishop of Montalcino-Pienza, who was his nephew. 1992 the abbey became an active monastery again with the arrival of a new congregation of Canons Regular of the Premonstratensian Order. The architecture seems influenced by churches in Burgundy. It looks a bit like a sibling of the church at Vignory in Champagne. Eagles and griffins on the lintel above the side portal.

It is proven, that the Abbazia di Sant'Antimo existed since Carolingian times. Legends (of course) know, that it was Charlemagne himself, who founded the abbey when he had left Rome, following the Via Francigena northward. The earliest document relating to the abbey is a land grant of Charlemagne´s son Louis the Pious from 813. One year after the 1117 earthquake the erection of the church of today started. At that time the powerful abbey was one of the largest landowners in the area. As sovereigns and imperial officials at the same time, they also levied taxes. The decline began with Siena's awakening striving for power, which conquered Montalcino in 1212. In the following decades, the property of the monastery shrank to a fifth. The church was never completed in the years that followed, as the complex construction probably exceeded the abbey's financial possibilities. A sign of decay is the unfinished facade. New religious ideas gained influence. The then new orders of the Franciscans and Dominicans, whose monasteries were not built in the cities, gained strength. The Benedictine wish to be able to follow the rule ora et labora in seclusion was pushed into the background. In 1462 Pope Pius II suppressed the abbey, annexed whatever was left - and handed it over to the Bishop of Montalcino-Pienza, who was his nephew. 1992 the abbey became an active monastery again with the arrival of a new congregation of Canons Regular of the Premonstratensian Order. The architecture seems influenced by churches in Burgundy. It looks a bit like a sibling of the church at Vignory in Champagne. The small apse on the left dates back to Carolingian times

It is proven, that the Abbazia di Sant'Antimo existed since Carolingian times. Legends (of course) know, that it was Charlemagne himself, who founded the abbey when he had left Rome, following the Via Francigena northward. The earliest document relating to the abbey is a land grant of Charlemagne´s son Louis the Pious from 813. One year after the 1117 earthquake the erection of the church of today started. At that time the powerful abbey was one of the largest landowners in the area. As sovereigns and imperial officials at the same time, they also levied taxes. The decline began with Siena's awakening striving for power, which conquered Montalcino in 1212. In the following decades, the property of the monastery shrank to a fifth. The church was never completed in the years that followed, as the complex construction probably exceeded the abbey's financial possibilities. A sign of decay is the unfinished facade. New religious ideas gained influence. The then new orders of the Franciscans and Dominicans, whose monasteries were not built in the cities, gained strength. The Benedictine wish to be able to follow the rule ora et labora in seclusion was pushed into the background. In 1462 Pope Pius II suppressed the abbey, annexed whatever was left - and handed it over to the Bishop of Montalcino-Pienza, who was his nephew. 1992 the abbey became an active monastery again with the arrival of a new congregation of Canons Regular of the Premonstratensian Order. The architecture seems influenced by churches in Burgundy. It looks a bit like a sibling of the church at Vignory in Champagne. There are many sculpted capitals along the nave. Here in the center depicting "Daniel in the lions' den", is best known, as it is attributed the the "Master of Cabvestany", whose artistic style is very dynamic and creative. The faces have almond eyes, a sharp nose, great ears, and a triangular shape. The fingers of the hands are long. The "Maître de Cabestany" ("Master of Cabestany") is known under this name since the 1930s when a tympanum and other carvings were found in Cabestany (near Perpignan). The carving had been used as "building materials" inside a wall of the local cemetery. Research started and so far more than 120 carvings of these origins, all carved within the second half of the 12th century, are known. The carvings are spread over an area between Tuscany in Italy, Southern France - and Catalonia in Spain. This led to the theory, that the "Maître de Cabestany" may not be a single master-carver, but a studio, where carvers learned this style.

It is proven, that the Abbazia di Sant'Antimo existed since Carolingian times. Legends (of course) know, that it was Charlemagne himself, who founded the abbey when he had left Rome, following the Via Francigena northward. The earliest document relating to the abbey is a land grant of Charlemagne´s son Louis the Pious from 813. One year after the 1117 earthquake the erection of the church of today started. At that time the powerful abbey was one of the largest landowners in the area. As sovereigns and imperial officials at the same time, they also levied taxes. The decline began with Siena's awakening striving for power, which conquered Montalcino in 1212. In the following decades, the property of the monastery shrank to a fifth. The church was never completed in the years that followed, as the complex construction probably exceeded the abbey's financial possibilities. A sign of decay is the unfinished facade. New religious ideas gained influence. The then new orders of the Franciscans and Dominicans, whose monasteries were not built in the cities, gained strength. The Benedictine wish to be able to follow the rule ora et labora in seclusion was pushed into the background. In 1462 Pope Pius II suppressed the abbey, annexed whatever was left - and handed it over to the Bishop of Montalcino-Pienza, who was his nephew. 1992 the abbey became an active monastery again with the arrival of a new congregation of Canons Regular of the Premonstratensian Order. The architecture seems influenced by churches in Burgundy. It looks a bit like a sibling of the church at Vignory in Champagne. The narrow nave impresses with its height of 20 meters.

It is proven, that the Abbazia di Sant'Antimo existed since Carolingian times. Legends (of course) know, that it was Charlemagne himself, who founded the abbey when he had left Rome, following the Via Francigena northward. The earliest document relating to the abbey is a land grant of Charlemagne´s son Louis the Pious from 813. One year after the 1117 earthquake the erection of the church of today started. At that time the powerful abbey was one of the largest landowners in the area. As sovereigns and imperial officials at the same time, they also levied taxes. The decline began with Siena's awakening striving for power, which conquered Montalcino in 1212. In the following decades, the property of the monastery shrank to a fifth. The church was never completed in the years that followed, as the complex construction probably exceeded the abbey's financial possibilities. A sign of decay is the unfinished facade. New religious ideas gained influence. The then new orders of the Franciscans and Dominicans, whose monasteries were not built in the cities, gained strength. The Benedictine wish to be able to follow the rule ora et labora in seclusion was pushed into the background. In 1462 Pope Pius II suppressed the abbey, annexed whatever was left - and handed it over to the Bishop of Montalcino-Pienza, who was his nephew. 1992 the abbey became an active monastery again with the arrival of a new congregation of Canons Regular of the Premonstratensian Order.

A church with a baptismal font (= pieve) existed here within the 8th century, when the area was ruled by Liutprand, King of the Lombards. The (Latin Cross) church of today was erected in the 12th and 13th century. An inscription on the lintel of one of the three (!) portals reads ".. MCCLXXXXVIII..", what 1298. Santi Quirico e Giulitta was a parish church upto 1648, when it became collegiate church. "Birds drinking from a chalice" is a very common Romanesque icon. Here the birds are obviously peacocks. The couple below (griffins ?) play peek-a-boo with a lion. The Romanesque portal may have been originally produced for a planned double portal of the Abbazia di Sant'Antimo (13kms west). When the abbey run out of funds mid 13th century, the plans were cut down to a single portal - and the redundant portal was used here, where "Santi Quirico e Giulitta" was still a construction site.

A church with a baptismal font (= pieve) existed here within the 8th century, when the area was ruled by Liutprand, King of the Lombards. The (Latin Cross) church of today was erected in the 12th and 13th century. An inscription on the lintel of one of the three (!) portals reads ".. MCCLXXXXVIII..", what 1298. Santi Quirico e Giulitta was a parish church upto 1648, when it became collegiate church. These two lions nibbling the cow´s ears are a detail of the Romanesque main portal. The portal may have been originally produced for a planned double portal of the Abbazia di Sant'Antimo (13kms west). When the abbey run out of funds mid 13th century, the plans were cut down to a single portal - and the redundant portal was used here, where "Santi Quirico e Giulitta" was still a construction site.

A church with a baptismal font (= pieve) existed here within the 8th century, when the area was ruled by Liutprand, King of the Lombards. The (Latin Cross) church of today was erected in the 12th and 13th century. An inscription on the lintel of one of the three (!) portals reads ".. MCCLXXXXVIII..", what 1298. Santi Quirico e Giulitta was a parish church upto 1648, when it became collegiate church. The two just seen side portals open to the Via Francigena, that runs through San Quirico d'Orcia. This is the Romanesque main portal. This may have been originally produced for a planned double portal in Abbazia di Sant'Antimo (13kms west). When the abbey run out of funds mid 13th century, the plans were cut down to a single portal - and the redundant portal was used here, where "Santi Quirico e Giulitta" was still a construction site.

A church with a baptismal font (= pieve) existed here within the 8th century, when the area was ruled by Liutprand, King of the Lombards. The (Latin Cross) church of today was erected in the 12th and 13th century. An inscription on the lintel of one of the three (!) portals reads ".. MCCLXXXXVIII..", what 1298. Santi Quirico e Giulitta was a parish church upto 1648, when it became collegiate church. The two just seen side portals open to the Via Francigena, that runs through San Quirico d'Orcia. This is the Romanesque main portal. This may have been originally produced for a planned double portal in Abbazia di Sant'Antimo (13kms west). When the abbey run out of funds mid 13th century, the plans were cut down to a single portal - and the redundant portal was used here, where "Santi Quirico e Giulitta" was still a construction site.

It is proven, that the Abbazia di Sant'Antimo existed since Carolingian times. Legends (of course) know, that it was Charlemagne himself, who founded the abbey when he had left Rome, following the Via Francigana northward. The earliest document relating to the abbey is a land grant of Charlemagne´s son Louis the Pious from 813. One year after the 1117 Verona earthquake, that destroyed so many buildings in Northern Italy, the erection of the church of today started. At that time the a powerful abbey was one of the largest landowners in the area. The decline started in 1212, when, after a decade of hostility, an agreement stated that the abbey had to hand over a quarter of its territories to Siena, including Montalcino. With the rise of the Dominican and the Franciscan Order, the Benedictines lost more influence. In 1462 Pope Pius II surpressed the abbey (just like Abbadia Ardenga, see previous uploads), annexed what ever was left - and handed it over to the Bishop of of Montalcino-Pienza, who was Pius' nephew. The church is about 43 metres long. The church is often compared to Saint-Étienne in Vignory (consecrated ~ 1050 /Burgundy /~ 1000 kms northwest). The influence of French architects and artists, maybe connected to Cluny, is undisputed. Wild boars are still today very common in Tuscany and so "Pappardelle Cinghiale" (= ribbon pasta with a sauce of wild boar stewed in tomatoes) is a kind of national dish here. This boar from stone is under the roof of the apse.

It is proven, that the Abbazia di Sant'Antimo existed since Carolingian times. Legends (of course) know, that it was Charlemagne himself, who founded the abbey when he had left Rome, following the Via Francigana northward. The earliest document relating to the abbey is a land grant of Charlemagne´s son Louis the Pious from 813. One year after the 1117 Verona earthquake, that destroyed so many buildings in Northern Italy, the erection of the church of today started. At that time the a powerful abbey was one of the largest landowners in the area. The decline started in 1212, when, after a decade of hostility, an agreement stated that the abbey had to hand over a quarter of its territories to Siena, including Montalcino. With the rise of the Dominican and the Franciscan Order, the Benedictines lost more influence. In 1462 Pope Pius II surpressed the abbey (just like Abbadia Ardenga, see previous uploads), annexed what ever was left - and handed it over to the Bishop of of Montalcino-Pienza, who was Pius' nephew. The church is about 43 metres long. The church is often compared to Saint-Étienne in Vignory (consecrated ~ 1050 /Burgundy /~ 1000 kms northwest). The influence of French architects and artists, maybe connected to Cluny, is undisputed. This Romanesque relief is placed high on the campanile. Depicted is Mary, holding the child and flanked by the evangelists. It was probably carved in the first half of the 12th century, in a time, when in Northern France the Gothic style evolved and "Mary" became a central part of the iconography. This relief was carved a few decades before the "Portal Royal" in Chartres (1150) and the "Portail de la Vierge" in Senlis (1170).

It is proven, that the Abbazia di Sant'Antimo existed since Carolingian times. Legends (of course) know, that it was Charlemagne himself, who founded the abbey when he had left Rome, following the Via Francigana northward. The earliest document relating to the abbey is a land grant of Charlemagne´s son Louis the Pious from 813. One year after the 1117 Verona earthquake, that destroyed so many buildings in Northern Italy, the erection of the church of today started. At that time the a powerful abbey was one of the largest landowners in the area. The decline started in 1212, when, after a decade of hostility, an agreement stated that the abbey had to hand over a quarter of its territories to Siena, including Montalcino. With the rise of the Dominican and the Franciscan Order, the Benedictines lost more influence. In 1462 Pope Pius II surpressed the abbey (just like Abbadia Ardenga, see previous uploads), annexed what ever was left - and handed it over to the Bishop of of Montalcino-Pienza, who was Pius' nephew. The church is about 43 metres long. The church is often compared to Saint-Étienne in Vignory (consecrated ~ 1050 /Burgundy /~ 1000 kms northwest). The influence of French architects and artists, maybe connected to Cluny, is undisputed. Spolia are used to decorate the exterior walls. An evil winged chimera with fangs - and a very strange hairdo. The tail snake doesn't like the braids and attacks.

It is proven, that the Abbazia di Sant'Antimo existed since Carolingian times. Legends (of course) know, that it was Charlemagne himself, who founded the abbey when he had left Rome, following the Via Francigana northward. The earliest document relating to the abbey is a land grant of Charlemagne´s son Louis the Pious from 813. One year after the 1117 Verona earthquake, that destroyed so many buildings in Northern Italy, the erection of the church of today started. At that time the a powerful abbey was one of the largest landowners in the area. The decline started in 1212, when, after a decade of hostility, an agreement stated that the abbey had to hand over a quarter of its territories to Siena, including Montalcino. With the rise of the Dominican and the Franciscan Order, the Benedictines lost more influence. In 1462 Pope Pius II surpressed the abbey (just like Abbadia Ardenga, see previous uploads), annexed what ever was left - and handed it over to the Bishop of of Montalcino-Pienza, who was Pius' nephew. The church is about 43 metres long. The church is often compared to Saint-Étienne in Vignory (consecrated ~ 1050 /Burgundy /~ 1000 kms northwest). The influence of French architects and artists, maybe connected to Cluny, is undisputed. Spolia are used to decorate the exterior walls. Here is a side portal. The lintel looks Carolingian with the knots. It may once have been part of the still existing Carolingian chapel ("Cappella Carolingia"), that now is used as a sacristy.

It is proven, that the Abbazia di Sant'Antimo existed since Carolingian times. Legends (of course) know, that it was Charlemagne himself, who founded the abbey when he had left Rome, following the Via Francigana northward. The earliest document relating to the abbey is a land grant of Charlemagne´s son Louis the Pious from 813. One year after the 1117 Verona earthquake, that destroyed so many buildings in Northern Italy, the erection of the church of today started. At that time the a powerful abbey was one of the largest landowners in the area. The decline started in 1212, when, after a decade of hostility, an agreement stated that the abbey had to hand over a quarter of its territories to Siena, including Montalcino. With the rise of the Dominican and the Franciscan Order, the Benedictines lost more influence. In 1462 Pope Pius II surpressed the abbey (just like Abbadia Ardenga, see previous uploads), annexed what ever was left - and handed it over to the Bishop of of Montalcino-Pienza, who was Pius' nephew. The church is about 43 metres long. The church is often compared to Saint-Étienne in Vignory (consecrated ~ 1050 /Burgundy /~ 1000 kms northwest). The influence of French architects and artists, maybe connected to Cluny, is undisputed. Spolia are used to decorate the exterior walls.

It is proven, that the Abbazia di Sant'Antimo existed since Carolingian times. Legends (of course) know, that it was Charlemagne himself, who founded the abbey when he had left Rome, following the Via Francigana northward. The earliest document relating to the abbey is a land grant of Charlemagne´s son Louis the Pious from 813. One year after the 1117 Verona earthquake, that destroyed so many buildings in Northern Italy, the erection of the church of today started. At that time the a powerful abbey was one of the largest landowners in the area. The decline started in 1212, when, after a decade of hostility, an agreement stated that the abbey had to hand over a quarter of its territories to Siena, including Montalcino. With the rise of the Dominican and the Franciscan Order, the Benedictines lost more influence. In 1462 Pope Pius II surpressed the abbey (just like Abbadia Ardenga, see previous uploads), annexed what ever was left - and handed it over to the Bishop of of Montalcino-Pienza, who was Pius' nephew. The church is about 43 metres long. The church is often compared to Saint-Étienne in Vignory (consecrated ~ 1050 /Burgundy /~ 1000 kms northwest). The influence of French architects and artists, maybe connected to Cluny, is undisputed. There are many sculpted capitals along the nave. This one, depictig "Daniel in the lions' den", is best known, as it is attributed the the "Master of Cabvestany", whose The artistic style is very dynamic and creativ. The faces have almond eyes, a sharp nose, great ears and a triangular shape. The fingers of the hands are long, sometimes perspective.. ... The "Maître de Cabestany" ("Master of Cabestany") is known under this name since the 1930s when a tympanum and other carvings were found in Cabestany (near Perpignan). The carving had been used as "building materials" inside a wall of the local cementery. Research started and so far more than 120 carvings of these origins, all carved within the second half of the 12th century, are known. The carvings are spread over an area between the Tuscany in Italy, Southern France - and Catalonia in Spain. This led to the theory, that the "Maître de Cabestany" may not be a single master-carver, but a studio, where carvers learned this style. Meanwhile there is a museum in Cabestany, to is dedicated to these works of art - and their creator(s). www.maitre-de-cabestany.com/

It is proven, that the Abbazia di Sant'Antimo existed since Carolingian times. Legends (of course) know, that it was Charlemagne himself, who founded the abbey when he had left Rome, following the Via Francigana northward. The earliest document relating to the abbey is a land grant of Charlemagne´s son Louis the Pious from 813. One year after the 1117 Verona earthquake, that destroyed so many buildings in Northern Italy, the erection of the church of today started. At that time the a powerful abbey was one of the largest landowners in the area. The decline started in 1212, when, after a decade of hostility, an agreement stated that the abbey had to hand over a quarter of its territories to Siena, including Montalcino. With the rise of the Dominican and the Franciscan Order, the Benedictines lost more influence. In 1462 Pope Pius II surpressed the abbey (just like Abbadia Ardenga, see previous uploads), annexed what ever was left - and handed it over to the Bishop of of Montalcino-Pienza, who was Pius' nephew. The church is about 43 metres long. The church is often compared to Saint-Étienne in Vignory (consecrated ~ 1050 /Burgundy /~ 1000 kms northwest). The influence of French architects and artists, maybe connected to Cluny, is undisputed. There are many sculpted capitals along the nave. This one, depictig "Daniel in the lions' den", is best known, as it is attributed the the "Master of Cabvestany", whose The artistic style is very dynamic and creativ. The faces have almond eyes, a sharp nose, great ears and a triangular shape. The fingers of the hands are long, sometimes perspective.. ... The "Maître de Cabestany" ("Master of Cabestany") is known under this name since the 1930s when a tympanum and other carvings were found in Cabestany (near Perpignan). The carving had been used as "building materials" inside a wall of the local cementery. Research started and so far more than 120 carvings of these origins, all carved within the second half of the 12th century, are known. The carvings are spread over an area between the Tuscany in Italy, Southern France - and Catalonia in Spain. This led to the theory, that the "Maître de Cabestany" may not be a single master-carver, but a studio, where carvers learned this style. Meanwhile there is a museum in Cabestany, to is dedicated to these works of art - and their creator(s) www.maitre-de-cabestany.com/

It is proven, that the Abbazia di Sant'Antimo existed since Carolingian times. Legends (of course) know, that it was Charlemagne himself, who founded the abbey when he had left Rome, following the Via Francigana northward. The earliest document relating to the abbey is a land grant of Charlemagne´s son Louis the Pious from 813. One year after the 1117 Verona earthquake, that destroyed so many buildings in Northern Italy, the erection of the church of today started. At that time the a powerful abbey was one of the largest landowners in the area. The decline started in 1212, when, after a decade of hostility, an agreement stated that the abbey had to hand over a quarter of its territories to Siena, including Montalcino. With the rise of the Dominican and the Franciscan Order, the Benedictines lost more influence. In 1462 Pope Pius II surpressed the abbey (just like Abbadia Ardenga, see previous uploads), annexed what ever was left - and handed it over to the Bishop of of Montalcino-Pienza, who was Pius' nephew. The church is about 43 metres long. The church is often compared to Saint-Étienne in Vignory (consecrated ~ 1050 /Burgundy /~ 1000 kms northwest). The influence of French architects and artists, maybe connected to Cluny, is undisputed. There are many sculpted capitals along the nave. This one, depictig "Daniel in the lions' den", is best known, as it is attributed the the "Master of Cabvestany", whose The artistic style is very dynamic and creativ. The faces have almond eyes, a sharp nose, great ears and a triangular shape. The fingers of the hands are long, sometimes perspective.. ... The "Maître de Cabestany" ("Master of Cabestany") is known under this name since the 1930s when a tympanum and other carvings were found in Cabestany (near Perpignan). The carving had been used as "building materials" inside a wall of the local cementery. Research started and so far more than 120 carvings of these origins, all carved within the second half of the 12th century, are known. The carvings are spread over an area between the Tuscany in Italy, Southern France - and Catalonia in Spain. This led to the theory, that the "Maître de Cabestany" may not be a single master-carver, but a studio, where carvers learned this style. Meanwhile there is a museum in Cabestany, to is dedicated to these works of art - and their creator(s) www.maitre-de-cabestany.com/

It is proven, that the Abbazia di Sant'Antimo existed since Carolingian times. Legends (of course) know, that it was Charlemagne himself, who founded the abbey when he had left Rome, following the Via Francigana northward. The earliest document relating to the abbey is a land grant of Charlemagne´s son Louis the Pious from 813. One year after the 1117 Verona earthquake, that destroyed so many buildings in Northern Italy, the erection of the church of today started. At that time the a powerful abbey was one of the largest landowners in the area. The decline started in 1212, when, after a decade of hostility, an agreement stated that the abbey had to hand over a quarter of its territories to Siena, including Montalcino. With the rise of the Dominican and the Franciscan Order, the Benedictines lost more influence. In 1462 Pope Pius II surpressed the abbey (just like Abbadia Ardenga, see previous uploads), annexed what ever was left - and handed it over to the Bishop of of Montalcino-Pienza, who was Pius' nephew. The church is about 43 metres long. The church is often compared to Saint-Étienne in Vignory (consecrated ~ 1050 /Burgundy /~ 1000 kms northwest). The influence of French architects and artists, maybe connected to Cluny, is undisputed. There are many sculpted capitals along the nave. This one, depictig "Daniel in the lions' den", is best known, as it is attributed the the "Master of Cabvestany", whose The artistic style is very dynamic and creativ. The faces have almond eyes, a sharp nose, great ears and a triangular shape. The fingers of the hands are long, sometimes perspective.. ... The "Maître de Cabestany" ("Master of Cabestany") is known under this name since the 1930s when a tympanum and other carvings were found in Cabestany (near Perpignan). The carving had been used as "building materials" inside a wall of the local cementery. Research started and so far more than 120 carvings of these origins, all carved within the second half of the 12th century, are known. The carvings are spread over an area between the Tuscany in Italy, Southern France - and Catalonia in Spain. This led to the theory, that the "Maître de Cabestany" may not be a single master-carver, but a studio, where carvers learned this style. Meanwhile there is a museum in Cabestany, to is dedicated to these works of art - and their creator(s). www.maitre-de-cabestany.com/