Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Piazza del Duomo

A legend tells, that a city called Sybar existed at the time of the Trojan War. It was conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, receiving the new name of Lupiae. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Lecce was sacked by the Ostrogoth troops of king Totila. In 549 it was taken by Byzantium and remained part of the Eastern Roman Empire for five centuries, interrupted by brief invasions by the Saracens, Longobards, Hungarians and Slavs. After the Norman conquest in the 11th century, Lecce regained commercial and political importance, flourishing in the subsequent Hohenstaufen and Angevine rule. From the 15th century, Lecce was one of the most important cities of southern Italy, and, starting in 1630, it developed into a centre of Baroque architecture. This was made possible by the soft tuff stone found in the area, perfect for that architecture. - The cathedral is located on the southeast corner of the "Piazza del Duomo" in the centre of the city. It first built in 1144, it underwent modifications later and was rebuilt in 1659 by the architect Giuseppe Zimbalo (aka "Zingarello") by order of bishop Luigi Pappacoda, in thy Baroque style typical for Lecce. The architect did not change the general layout but added an enormous, Baroque portal. This portal is considered to be a masterpiece of Baroque art. The campanile was built between 1661 and 1682. It was built to replace the Romanesque one, which had collapsed at the beginning of the 17th century. At a height of about 70 m the bell tower offers views of the Adriatic Sea and was used as a watchtower in former times.

A legend tells, that a city called Sybar existed at the time of the Trojan War. It was conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, receiving the new name of Lupiae. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Lecce was sacked by the Ostrogoth troops of king Totila. In 549 it was taken by Byzantium and remained part of the Eastern Roman Empire for five centuries, interrupted by brief invasions by the Saracens, Longobards, Hungarians and Slavs. After the Norman conquest in the 11th century, Lecce regained commercial and political importance, flourishing in the subsequent Hohenstaufen and Angevine rule. From the 15th century, Lecce was one of the most important cities of southern Italy, and, starting in 1630, it developed into a centre of Baroque architecture. This was made possible by the soft tuff stone found in the area, perfect for that architecture. - The cathedral is located on the southeast corner of the "Piazza del Duomo" in the centre of the city. It first built in 1144, it underwent modifications later and was rebuilt in 1659 by the architect Giuseppe Zimbalo (aka "Zingarello") by order of bishop Luigi Pappacoda, in thy Baroque style typical for Lecce. The architect did not change the general layout but added an enormous, Baroque portal. This portal is considered to be a masterpiece of Baroque art.

Milan is the city capital of the Lombardy and the second most populous city in Italy after Rome. Known during Roman times as "Mediolanum" it was the place, where in 313 Constantine I and Licinius met and "signed" the "Edict of Milan", giving Christianity a legal status within the Roman empire. At the end of the Roman empire Milan was besieged by the Visigoths in 402, looted by the Huns in 452, and taken by the Ostrogoths in 539. Only 30 years later is belonged to the Kingdom of the Lombards, until in 774 Charlemagne defeated the Langobards and added Milan to the Carolingian empire. During Barbarossa´s (Frederik I) "Italian Campaigns" Milan was taken and destroyed to a great extent. Milan came back and flourished, when in 1386 the construction of the cathedral began. It took centuries to complete. In 1805, Napoleon Bonaparte, about to be crowned King of Italy here, ordered the façade to be finished in 1813. The "Duomo di Milano" is surrounded by the "Piazza del Duomo". The most prominent building (next to the Duomo) is the "Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II" with its triumphal arch. It is the world´s oldest shopping mall, named after Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of the Kingdom of Italy, and built by Giuseppe Mengoni 1865 - 1877. The structure consists of two glass-vaulted arcades intersecting in an octagonal space, that is topped with a glass dome.

The Piazza del Duomo is lined by medieval buildings. The "Palazzo Pretorio" is to the right, next to the impressive campanile, stands the "Battistero di San Giovanni in Corte". The construction of the octagonal baptistery started in 1303. The building, completed in 1361, is 40 metres high. The exterior is entirely covered with white and green marble. Once here was a lombard church, named "Santa Maria in Corte". It got demolished and replaced by the baptistery, leaving an addition to the name of the "Battistero di San Giovanni in Corte".

Seen here, from the "Piazza del Duomo" are the apses of the Basilica di Sant’Eufemia. This area once was occupied by the palace of the Langobard-ruled Dukes of Spoleto. Faroald and his rebellious son Thrasimund, whom I just had met two days ago in the Abbazia di San Pietro in Valle, had lived here. At that time the predecessing church must have been a palace chapel. Within the 10th century the church was part of a Benedictine convent, that existed here. Later (12th century) the Basilica di Sant’Eufemia was part of the "Palazzo Vescovile", the Bishop´s Palace.

During some days of the summer season the "Piazza del Duomo" morphs into a giant stage. The building to the right looks like a baptistery, but meanwhile is the "Teatro Caio Melisso". Seen in the background is the apses of the Basilica of Sant'Eufemia.

The "Duomo Vecchio" (aka "Concattedrale invernale di Santa Maria Assunta", "La Rotonda") is a large circular structure erected on the site of a prior basilica in the first half of the 11th century. At that time the street level lower so today the Duomo Vecchio looks like sunken into the Piazza del Duomo. In 1571 a new entrance was created, but the Baroque portal, seen here, had to be rebuilt after the campanile over it had collapsed in 1703.

The "Duomo Vecchio" (aka "Concattedrale invernale di Santa Maria Assunta", "La Rotonda") is a large circular structure erected on the site of a prior basilica in the first half of the 11th century. At that time the street level lower so today the Duomo Vecchio looks like sunken into the Piazza del Duomo. In 1571 a new entrance was created, but the Baroque portal, seen here, had to be rebuilt after the campanile over it had collapsed in 1703.

The cathedral is the heart of the Piazza del Duomo (aka "Piazza dei Miracoli"). Its construction began in 1064 and set the model for the Pisan Romanesque style of architecture. The Leaning Tower is to the right. I stayed for hours here that night.

Nightfall in Pisa. Most of the tourist have left the Piazza dei Miracoli already. Now the Pisans take a walk along the Baptistery, the Cathedral and the Leaning Tower.

Nightfall in Pisa. Most of the tourist have left the Piazza dei Miracoli already. Now the Pisans take a walk around the Baptistery, the Cathedral and the Leaning Tower.