Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Italy

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. A group of weathered statues, carved by Giovanni Pisano´s school. Pisano was the "Master of the Works" in Pisa for about fifteen years. His masterpiece is the pulpit of the Cathedral (see previous uploads), that he created cooperating with his father Nicola.

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. King David, sitting on a very elaborate throne (a small lion on the armrest) plays his harp.

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. This relief was once part of a frieze, running on the cathedral´s facade. A man, holding the cross, flanked by beasts from hell. It is now replaced by a more durable and less fragile copy.

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 visitors of the museum have a nice view onto the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral and the Baptistery.

The Leaning Tower is the main tourist attraction in Pisa. Zillions of photos are taken here each week. The construction of the tower started exactly on August 14, 1173. Architects were either Bonanno Pisano, who created the bronze doors (previous uploads) or Diotisalvi, the architect of the Baptistery. The tower's tilt began already during the construction, caused by an inadequate foundation on ground too soft to properly support the structure's weight. Due to wars, Pisa waged against Genoa, Lucca and Florence, it was on halt for a century, but was continued and completed in 1372. A long discussion started in the 20th century, how to prevent the tower from toppling. 800 tonnes of lead counterweights got installed. In 1989, after a medieval tower in Pavia had collapsed, the Leaning Tower was closed to the public. Engineers were able to straighten the tower by 45 cms and the tower was opened to the public again end of 2001. In 2008, after the removal of 70 tons of ground, engineers announced that the Tower had been stabilized. They stated it would be stable for at least 200 years. These monkeys sit near the portal of the tower - since around 1200.

The Leaning Tower is the main tourist attraction in Pisa. Zillions of photos are taken here each week. The construction of the tower started exactly on August 14, 1173. Architects were either Bonanno Pisano, who created the bronze doors (previous uploads) or Diotisalvi, the architect of the Baptistery. The tower's tilt began already during the construction, caused by an inadequate foundation on ground too soft to properly support the structure's weight. Due to wars, Pisa waged against Genoa, Lucca and Florence, it was on halt for a century, but was continued and completed in 1372. A long discussion started in the 20th century, how to prevent the tower from toppling. 800 tonnes of lead counterweights got installed. In 1989, after a medieval tower in Pavia had collapsed, the Leaning Tower was closed to the public. Engineers were able to straighten the tower by 45 cms and the tower was opened to the public again end of 2001. In 2008, after the removal of 70 tons of ground, engineers announced that the Tower had been stabilized. They stated it would be stable for at least 200 years.

The Leaning Tower is the main tourist attraction in Pisa. Zillions of photos are taken here each week. The tower's tilt began already during the construction, caused by an inadequate foundation on ground too soft to properly support the structure's weight. A long discussion started in the 20th century, how to prevent the tower from toppling. 800 tonnes of lead counterweights got installed. In 1989, after a medieval tower in Pavia had collapsed, the Leaning Tower was closed to the public. Engineers were able to straighten the tower by 45 cms and the tower was opened to the public again end of 2001. In 2008, after the removal of 70 tons of ground, engineers announced that the Tower had been stabilized. They stated it would be stable for at least 200 years. The first tourists line up in the early morning.

The construction of the "Duomo" began in 1064 by the architect Busketo, who set the model for the distinctive Pisan Romanesque style of architecture. When the construction of this cathedral started, Pisa was on a height of political (and financial) power. Pisa was an important commercial centre controlling large parts of the Mediterranean merchant fleet and navy. In 1017 Pisa had militarily supported the Sardinian "Giudicati" (regional kings) to defeat Saracen troops in the north of Sardinia. Between 1030 and 1035, Pisa defeated rival towns in Sicily. In 1051–1052 Jacopo Ciurini conquered Corsica. In 1063 Giovanni Orlando took Palermo from the Saracen. The gold treasure taken from the Saracens in Palermo allowed the Pisans to start the building of the cathedral. The bronze doors of the cathedral´s Porta San Ranieri survived the fire, that severely damaged the cathedral in 1595. The doors (see previous uploads) were sculpted by Bonanus of Pisa around 1180. Here is a detail: Herod ("ERODI") and the "Massacre of the Innocents".

The construction of the "Duomo" began in 1064 by the architect Busketo, who set the model for the distinctive Pisan Romanesque style of architecture. When the construction of this cathedral started, Pisa was on a height of political (and financial) power. Pisa was an important commercial centre controlling large parts of the Mediterranean merchant fleet and navy. In 1017 Pisa had militarily supported the Sardinian "Giudicati" (regional kings) to defeat Saracen troops in the north of Sardinia. Between 1030 and 1035, Pisa defeated rival towns in Sicily. In 1051–1052 Jacopo Ciurini conquered Corsica. In 1063 Giovanni Orlando took Palermo from the Saracen. The gold treasure taken from the Saracens in Palermo allowed the Pisans to start the building of the cathedral. The bronze doors of the cathedral´s Porta San Ranieri survived the fire, that severely damaged the cathedral in 1595. The doors (see previous uploads) were sculpted by Bonanus of Pisa around 1180. Here is a detail: The Magi approaching Bethlehem. Below them scenes from the Garden of Eden.

The construction of the "Duomo" began in 1064 by the architect Busketo, who set the model for the distinctive Pisan Romanesque style of architecture. When the construction of this cathedral started, Pisa was on a height of political (and financial) power. Pisa was an important commercial centre controlling large parts of the Mediterranean merchant fleet and navy. In 1017 Pisa had militarily supported the Sardinian "Giudicati" (regional kings) to defeat Saracen troops in the north of Sardinia. Between 1030 and 1035, Pisa defeated rival towns in Sicily. In 1051–1052 Jacopo Ciurini conquered Corsica. In 1063 Giovanni Orlando took Palermo from the Saracen. The gold treasure taken from the Saracens in Palermo allowed the Pisans to start the building of the cathedral. The bronze doors of the cathedral´s Porta San Ranieri survived the fire, that severely damaged the cathedral in 1595. The doors (see previous uploads) were sculpted by Bonanus of Pisa around 1180. Here is a detail: The "Annunciation to the shepherds". Below the shepherds, the midwives prepare the "First Bath", watched by Mary and Joseph. The inscription reads NATIVITAS DEI.

The construction of the "Duomo" began in 1064 by the architect Busketo, who set the model for the distinctive Pisan Romanesque style of architecture. When the construction of this cathedral started, Pisa was on a height of political (and financial) power. Pisa was an important commercial centre controlling large parts of the Mediterranean merchant fleet and navy. In 1017 Pisa had militarily supported the Sardinian "Giudicati" (regional kings) to defeat Saracen troops in the north of Sardinia. Between 1030 and 1035, Pisa defeated rival towns in Sicily. In 1051–1052 Jacopo Ciurini conquered Corsica. In 1063 Giovanni Orlando took Palermo from the Saracen. The gold treasure taken from the Saracens in Palermo allowed the Pisans to start the building of the cathedral. The bronze doors of the cathedral´s Porta San Ranieri survived the fire, that severely damaged the cathedral in 1595. The doors were sculpted by Bonanus of Pisa around 1180.

The construction of the "Duomo" began in 1064 by the architect Busketo, who set the model for the distinctive Pisan Romanesque style of architecture. When the construction of this cathedral started, Pisa was on a height of political (and financial) power. Pisa was an important commercial centre controlling large parts of the Mediterranean merchant fleet and navy. In 1017 Pisa had militarily supported the Sardinian "Giudicati" (regional kings) to defeat Saracen troops in the north of Sardinia. Between 1030 and 1035, Pisa defeated rival towns in Sicily. In 1051–1052 Jacopo Ciurini conquered Corsica. In 1063 Giovanni Orlando took Palermo from the Saracen. The gold treasure taken from the Saracens in Palermo allowed the Pisans to start the building of the cathedral. The bronze doors of the cathedral´s Porta San Ranieri survived the fire, that severely damaged the cathedral in 1595. The doors were sculpted by Bonanus of Pisa around 1180.

The construction of the "Duomo" began in 1064 by the architect Busketo, who set the model for the distinctive Pisan Romanesque style of architecture. When the construction of this cathedral started, Pisa was on a height of political (and financial) power. Pisa was an important commercial centre controlling large parts of the Mediterranean merchant fleet and navy. In 1017 Pisa had militarily supported the Sardinian "Giudicati" (regional kings) to defeat Saracen troops in the north of Sardinia. Between 1030 and 1035, Pisa defeated rival towns in Sicily. In 1051–1052 Jacopo Ciurini conquered Corsica. In 1063 Giovanni Orlando took Palermo from the Saracen. The gold treasure taken from the Saracens in Palermo allowed the Pisans to start the building of the cathedral. The bronze doors of the cathedral´s Porta San Ranieri survived the fire, that severely damaged the cathedral in 1595. The doors were sculpted by Bonanus of Pisa around 1180.

Strolling through the Italian night I found this pastry shop, that was still open

Strolling through the Italian night I found this wonderful shop. Of course it was closed at night time.

Sunset in Pisa. The souvenir vendors close their stalls. In a few hours all tourists will have left the "Piazza dei Miracoli". The buildings will sleep for a couple of hours. When the sun comes up in the early morning - the show will go on.

The construction of the "Duomo" began in 1064 by the architect Busketo, who with this structure set the model for the distinctive Pisan Romanesque style of architecture. When the construction of this cathedral started, Pisa was on a height of political (and financial) power. Pisa was an important commercial centre controlling large parts of the Mediterranean merchant fleet and navy. In 1017 Pisa had militarily supported the Sardinian "Giudicati" (regional kings) to defeat Saracen troops in the north of Sardinia. Between 1030 and 1035, Pisa defeated rival towns in Sicily. In 1051–1052 admiral Jacopo Ciurini conquered Corsica. In 1063 admiral Giovanni Orlando, coming to the aid of the Norman Roger I, took Palermo from the Saracen. The gold treasure taken from the Saracens in Palermo allowed the Pisans to start the building of the cathedral. Of course there are many more stories to tell about the "Duomo". This sophisticated little machine near the entrance knows them all and it is willing to share them with you for only 2 Euros - in four languages.

The construction of the "Duomo" began in 1064 by the architect Busketo, who with this structure set the model for the distinctive Pisan Romanesque style of architecture. When the construction of this cathedral started, Pisa was on a height of political (and financial) power. Pisa was an important commercial centre controlling large parts of the Mediterranean merchant fleet and navy. In 1017 Pisa had militarily supported the Sardinian "Giudicati" (regional kings) to defeat Saracen troops in the north of Sardinia. Between 1030 and 1035, Pisa defeated rival towns in Sicily. In 1051–1052 admiral Jacopo Ciurini conquered Corsica. In 1063 admiral Giovanni Orlando, coming to the aid of the Norman Roger I, took Palermo from the Saracen. The gold treasure taken from the Saracens in Palermo allowed the Pisans to start the building of the cathedral. The elaborately carved pulpit was carved by Giovanni Pisano (1302–1310) probably in cooperation with his father Nicola, who created the pulpit in the neighbouring baptistry. The hexagonal pulpit survived the fire, that severely damaged the cathedrale in 1595. It was packed away during the renovation. After centuries it got rediscovered and is back in the cathedral since 1926. It is a masterwork. Influenced by French Gothic and Ancient Roman art, Pisano and his father are precursors of the Italian Renaissance. One of the pulpit´s nine large reliefs depicts the Nativity. Here is a detail. Mary recumbent like an Etruscan lady looks at the baby. Below - the midwives prepare the "First Bath".