Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Santa Chiara

Napoli - Santa Chiara

24 Nov 2020 111
Napoli is the regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy. Its metropolitan area has a population of more than 3 million. Founded by Greek settlers before 900 BC, Napoli was an important part of Magna Graecia and played a major role in the merging of Greek and Roman society. Following the decline of the Western Roman Empire Napoli was shortly ruled by the Ostrogoths. Byzantine troops captured the city in 536m but after the Byzantine exarchate Ravenna fell a Duchy of Naples was created. Over centuries the Duchy´s relations to Rome or Byzanz were hard-fought. In 836 Napoli could repel a siege of Lombard troops with the help of the Saracens, what did not prevent Muhammad I Abu 'l-Abbas in the 850s loot Napoli. In the 11th century, the Duchy hired Norman mercenaries and about 1140 it came under Norman control under Roger II, then King of Sicily. In 1228 Emperor Frederick II founded the first university in Europe here, making Napoli the intellectual centre of the kingdom. The conflict between the House of Hohenstaufen and the Papacy led in 1266 to Pope Innocent IV crowning the Angevin duke Charles I King of Sicily. Charles officially moved the capital from Palermo to Napoli. In 1282 after the "Sicilian Vespers", a successful rebellion on the island of Sicily against the rule of King Charles I, the Kingdom of Sicily was divided into two. The Angevin Kingdom of Naples included the southern part of the Italian peninsula, while the island of Sicily became the Aragonese Kingdom of Sicily. By the 17th century, Naples had become Europe's second-largest city – second only to Paris – with around 250000 inhabitants. The basilica is part of a former Poor Clare convent. It is the burial place of the Neapolitan kings from the two Capetian dynasties House Anjou and House Bourbon-Sicily. The monastic complex was built in 1313–1340 by Queen Sancha of Majorca and her husband King Robert of Naples. The church was erected in traditional Provençal-Gothic style. After the building was partially destroyed by a fire after bombings during World War II, it was brought back to the alleged original state by a disputed restoration, which was completed in 1953. The "Chiostro delle Maioliche" (Majolica Cloister) is considered the most beautiful cloister in Campania. It was laid out in the 14th century and rebuilt as an inner courtyard with a central crossroads in 1739–1740. In 1742 the cloister got embellished with the unique addition of majolica tiles in Rococò style. The tiles were created by Donato and Giuseppe Massa, apprentices of Francesco del Grue, who was imprisoned as a prisoner of war in Castello Nuovo in 1716.

Napoli - Santa Chiara

24 Nov 2020 118
Napoli is the regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy. Its metropolitan area has a population of more than 3 million. Founded by Greek settlers before 900 BC, Napoli was an important part of Magna Graecia and played a major role in the merging of Greek and Roman society. Following the decline of the Western Roman Empire Napoli was shortly ruled by the Ostrogoths. Byzantine troops captured the city in 536m but after the Byzantine exarchate Ravenna fell a Duchy of Naples was created. Over centuries the Duchy´s relations to Rome or Byzanz were hard-fought. In 836 Napoli could repel a siege of Lombard troops with the help of the Saracens, what did not prevent Muhammad I Abu 'l-Abbas in the 850s loot Napoli. In the 11th century, the Duchy hired Norman mercenaries and about 1140 it came under Norman control under Roger II, then King of Sicily. In 1228 Emperor Frederick II founded the first university in Europe here, making Napoli the intellectual centre of the kingdom. The conflict between the House of Hohenstaufen and the Papacy led in 1266 to Pope Innocent IV crowning the Angevin duke Charles I King of Sicily. Charles officially moved the capital from Palermo to Napoli. In 1282 after the "Sicilian Vespers", a successful rebellion on the island of Sicily against the rule of King Charles I, the Kingdom of Sicily was divided into two. The Angevin Kingdom of Naples included the southern part of the Italian peninsula, while the island of Sicily became the Aragonese Kingdom of Sicily. By the 17th century, Naples had become Europe's second-largest city – second only to Paris – with around 250000 inhabitants. The basilica is part of a former Poor Clare convent. It is the burial place of the Neapolitan kings from the two Capetian dynasties House Anjou and House Bourbon-Sicily. The monastic complex was built in 1313–1340 by Queen Sancha of Majorca and her husband King Robert of Naples. The church was erected in traditional Provençal-Gothic style. After the building was partially destroyed by a fire after bombings during World War II, it was brought back to the alleged original state by a disputed restoration, which was completed in 1953. During the restoration work after WWII the remains of Roman thermae and a large pool were found and later unearthed.

Napoli - Santa Chiara

24 Nov 2020 107
Napoli is the regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy. Its metropolitan area has a population of more than 3 million. Founded by Greek settlers before 900 BC, Napoli was an important part of Magna Graecia and played a major role in the merging of Greek and Roman society. Following the decline of the Western Roman Empire Napoli was shortly ruled by the Ostrogoths. Byzantine troops captured the city in 536m but after the Byzantine exarchate Ravenna fell a Duchy of Naples was created. Over centuries the Duchy´s relations to Rome or Byzanz were hard-fought. In 836 Napoli could repel a siege of Lombard troops with the help of the Saracens, what did not prevent Muhammad I Abu 'l-Abbas in the 850s loot Napoli. In the 11th century, the Duchy hired Norman mercenaries and about 1140 it came under Norman control under Roger II, then King of Sicily. In 1228 Emperor Frederick II founded the first university in Europe here, making Napoli the intellectual centre of the kingdom. The conflict between the House of Hohenstaufen and the Papacy led in 1266 to Pope Innocent IV crowning the Angevin duke Charles I King of Sicily. Charles officially moved the capital from Palermo to Napoli. In 1282 after the "Sicilian Vespers", a successful rebellion on the island of Sicily against the rule of King Charles I, the Kingdom of Sicily was divided into two. The Angevin Kingdom of Naples included the southern part of the Italian peninsula, while the island of Sicily became the Aragonese Kingdom of Sicily. By the 17th century, Naples had become Europe's second-largest city – second only to Paris – with around 250000 inhabitants. The basilica is part of a former Poor Clare convent. It is the burial place of the Neapolitan kings from the two Capetian dynasties House Anjou and House Bourbon-Sicily. The monastic complex was built in 1313–1340 by Queen Sancha of Majorca and her husband King Robert of Naples. The church was erected in traditional Provençal-Gothic style. After the building was partially destroyed by a fire after bombings during World War II, it was brought back to the alleged original state by a disputed restoration, which was completed in 1953. The "Chiostro delle Maioliche" (Majolica Cloister) is considered the most beautiful cloister in Campania. It was laid out in the 14th century and rebuilt as an inner courtyard with a central crossroads in 1739–1740. In 1742 the cloister got embellished with the unique addition of majolica tiles in Rococò style. The tiles were created by Donato and Giuseppe Massa, apprentices of Francesco del Grue, who was imprisoned as a prisoner of war in Castello Nuovo in 1716.

Napoli - Santa Chiara

23 Nov 2020 108
Napoli is the regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy. Its metropolitan area has a population of more than 3 million. Founded by Greek settlers before 900 BC, Napoli was an important part of Magna Graecia and played a major role in the merging of Greek and Roman society. Following the decline of the Western Roman Empire Napoli was shortly ruled by the Ostrogoths. Byzantine troops captured the city in 536m but after the Byzantine exarchate Ravenna fell a Duchy of Naples was created. Over centuries the Duchy´s relations to Rome or Byzanz were hard-fought. In 836 Napoli could repel a siege of Lombard troops with the help of the Saracens, what did not prevent Muhammad I Abu 'l-Abbas in the 850s loot Napoli. In the 11th century, the Duchy hired Norman mercenaries and about 1140 it came under Norman control under Roger II, then King of Sicily. In 1228 Emperor Frederick II founded the first university in Europe here, making Napoli the intellectual centre of the kingdom. The conflict between the House of Hohenstaufen and the Papacy led in 1266 to Pope Innocent IV crowning the Angevin duke Charles I King of Sicily. Charles officially moved the capital from Palermo to Napoli. In 1282 after the "Sicilian Vespers", a successful rebellion on the island of Sicily against the rule of King Charles I, the Kingdom of Sicily was divided into two. The Angevin Kingdom of Naples included the southern part of the Italian peninsula, while the island of Sicily became the Aragonese Kingdom of Sicily. By the 17th century, Naples had become Europe's second-largest city – second only to Paris – with around 250000 inhabitants. The basilica is part of a former Poor Clare convent. It is the burial place of the Neapolitan kings from the two Capetian dynasties House Anjou and House Bourbon-Sicily. The monastic complex was built in 1313–1340 by Queen Sancha of Majorca and her husband King Robert of Naples. The church was erected in traditional Provençal-Gothic style. After the building was partially destroyed by a fire after bombings during World War II, it was brought back to the alleged original state by a disputed restoration, which was completed in 1953. The "Chiostro delle Maioliche" (Majolica Cloister) is considered the most beautiful cloister in Campania. It was laid out in the 14th century and rebuilt as an inner courtyard with a central crossroads in 1739–1740. In 1742 the cloister got embellished with the unique addition of majolica tiles in Rococò style. The tiles were created by Donato and Giuseppe Massa, apprentices of Francesco del Grue, who was imprisoned as a prisoner of war in Castello Nuovo in 1716.

Napoli - Santa Chiara

22 Nov 2020 101
Napoli is the regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy. Its metropolitan area has a population of more than 3 million. Founded by Greek settlers before 900 BC, Napoli was an important part of Magna Graecia and played a major role in the merging of Greek and Roman society. Following the decline of the Western Roman Empire Napoli was shortly ruled by the Ostrogoths. Byzantine troops captured the city in 536m but after the Byzantine exarchate Ravenna fell a Duchy of Naples was created. Over centuries the Duchy´s relations to Rome or Byzanz were hard-fought. In 836 Napoli could repel a siege of Lombard troops with the help of the Saracens, what did not prevent Muhammad I Abu 'l-Abbas in the 850s loot Napoli. In the 11th century, the Duchy hired Norman mercenaries and about 1140 it came under Norman control under Roger II, then King of Sicily. In 1228 Emperor Frederick II founded the first university in Europe here, making Napoli the intellectual centre of the kingdom. The conflict between the House of Hohenstaufen and the Papacy led in 1266 to Pope Innocent IV crowning the Angevin duke Charles I King of Sicily. Charles officially moved the capital from Palermo to Napoli. In 1282 after the "Sicilian Vespers", a successful rebellion on the island of Sicily against the rule of King Charles I, the Kingdom of Sicily was divided into two. The Angevin Kingdom of Naples included the southern part of the Italian peninsula, while the island of Sicily became the Aragonese Kingdom of Sicily. By the 17th century, Naples had become Europe's second-largest city – second only to Paris – with around 250000 inhabitants. The basilica is part of a former Poor Clare convent. It is the burial place of the Neapolitan kings from the two Capetian dynasties House Anjou and House Bourbon-Sicily. The monastic complex was built in 1313–1340 by Queen Sancha of Majorca and her husband King Robert of Naples. The church was erected in traditional Provençal-Gothic style. After the building was partially destroyed by a fire after bombings during World War II, it was brought back to the alleged original state by a disputed restoration, which was completed in 1953. Some of the former convent buildings now host a museum. Relics were the most valuable possessions a convent owned. So the reliquaries, in which the holy remains were kept and displayed, are often masterpieces of art.

Napoli - Santa Chiara

23 Nov 2020 115
Napoli is the regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy. Its metropolitan area has a population of more than 3 million. Founded by Greek settlers before 900 BC, Napoli was an important part of Magna Graecia and played a major role in the merging of Greek and Roman society. Following the decline of the Western Roman Empire Napoli was shortly ruled by the Ostrogoths. Byzantine troops captured the city in 536m but after the Byzantine exarchate Ravenna fell a Duchy of Naples was created. Over centuries the Duchy´s relations to Rome or Byzanz were hard-fought. In 836 Napoli could repel a siege of Lombard troops with the help of the Saracens, what did not prevent Muhammad I Abu 'l-Abbas in the 850s loot Napoli. In the 11th century, the Duchy hired Norman mercenaries and about 1140 it came under Norman control under Roger II, then King of Sicily. In 1228 Emperor Frederick II founded the first university in Europe here, making Napoli the intellectual centre of the kingdom. The conflict between the House of Hohenstaufen and the Papacy led in 1266 to Pope Innocent IV crowning the Angevin duke Charles I King of Sicily. Charles officially moved the capital from Palermo to Napoli. In 1282 after the "Sicilian Vespers", a successful rebellion on the island of Sicily against the rule of King Charles I, the Kingdom of Sicily was divided into two. The Angevin Kingdom of Naples included the southern part of the Italian peninsula, while the island of Sicily became the Aragonese Kingdom of Sicily. By the 17th century, Naples had become Europe's second-largest city – second only to Paris – with around 250000 inhabitants. The basilica is part of a former Poor Clare convent. It is the burial place of the Neapolitan kings from the two Capetian dynasties House Anjou and House Bourbon-Sicily. The monastic complex was built in 1313–1340 by Queen Sancha of Majorca and her husband King Robert of Naples. The church was erected in traditional Provençal-Gothic style. After the building was partially destroyed by a fire after bombings during World War II, it was brought back to the alleged original state by a disputed restoration, which was completed in 1953. Some of the former convent buildings now host a museum. Relics were the most valuable possessions a convent owned. So the reliquaries, in which the holy remains were kept and displayed, are often masterpieces of art. Santa Fortunata

Napoli - Santa Chiara

22 Nov 2020 95
Napoli is the regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy. Its metropolitan area has a population of more than 3 million. Founded by Greek settlers before 900 BC, Napoli was an important part of Magna Graecia and played a major role in the merging of Greek and Roman society. Following the decline of the Western Roman Empire Napoli was shortly ruled by the Ostrogoths. Byzantine troops captured the city in 536m but after the Byzantine exarchate Ravenna fell a Duchy of Naples was created. Over centuries the Duchy´s relations to Rome or Byzanz were hard-fought. In 836 Napoli could repel a siege of Lombard troops with the help of the Saracens, what did not prevent Muhammad I Abu 'l-Abbas in the 850s loot Napoli. In the 11th century, the Duchy hired Norman mercenaries and about 1140 it came under Norman control under Roger II, then King of Sicily. In 1228 Emperor Frederick II founded the first university in Europe here, making Napoli the intellectual centre of the kingdom. The conflict between the House of Hohenstaufen and the Papacy led in 1266 to Pope Innocent IV crowning the Angevin duke Charles I King of Sicily. Charles officially moved the capital from Palermo to Napoli. In 1282 after the "Sicilian Vespers", a successful rebellion on the island of Sicily against the rule of King Charles I, the Kingdom of Sicily was divided into two. The Angevin Kingdom of Naples included the southern part of the Italian peninsula, while the island of Sicily became the Aragonese Kingdom of Sicily. By the 17th century, Naples had become Europe's second-largest city – second only to Paris – with around 250000 inhabitants. The basilica is part of a former Poor Clare convent. It is the burial place of the Neapolitan kings from the two Capetian dynasties House Anjou and House Bourbon-Sicily. The monastic complex was built in 1313–1340 by Queen Sancha of Majorca and her husband King Robert of Naples. The church was erected in traditional Provençal-Gothic style. After the building was partially destroyed by a fire after bombings during World War II, it was brought back to the alleged original state by a disputed restoration, which was completed in 1953. Some of the former convent buildings now host a museum. Relics were the most valuable possessions a convent owned. So the reliquaries, in which the holy remains were kept and displayed, are often masterpieces of art. Here is Saint Paul.

Napoli - Santa Chiara

22 Nov 2020 2 105
Napoli is the regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy. Its metropolitan area has a population of more than 3 million. Founded by Greek settlers before 900 BC, Napoli was an important part of Magna Graecia and played a major role in the merging of Greek and Roman society. Following the decline of the Western Roman Empire Napoli was shortly ruled by the Ostrogoths. Byzantine troops captured the city in 536m but after the Byzantine exarchate Ravenna fell a Duchy of Naples was created. Over centuries the Duchy´s relations to Rome or Byzanz were hard-fought. In 836 Napoli could repel a siege of Lombard troops with the help of the Saracens, what did not prevent Muhammad I Abu 'l-Abbas in the 850s loot Napoli. In the 11th century, the Duchy hired Norman mercenaries and about 1140 it came under Norman control under Roger II, then King of Sicily. In 1228 Emperor Frederick II founded the first university in Europe here, making Napoli the intellectual centre of the kingdom. The conflict between the House of Hohenstaufen and the Papacy led in 1266 to Pope Innocent IV crowning the Angevin duke Charles I King of Sicily. Charles officially moved the capital from Palermo to Napoli. In 1282 after the "Sicilian Vespers", a successful rebellion on the island of Sicily against the rule of King Charles I, the Kingdom of Sicily was divided into two. The Angevin Kingdom of Naples included the southern part of the Italian peninsula, while the island of Sicily became the Aragonese Kingdom of Sicily. By the 17th century, Naples had become Europe's second-largest city – second only to Paris – with around 250000 inhabitants. The basilica is part of a former Poor Clare convent. It is the burial place of the Neapolitan kings from the two Capetian dynasties House Anjou and House Bourbon-Sicily. The monastic complex was built in 1313–1340 by Queen Sancha of Majorca and her husband King Robert of Naples. The church was erected in traditional Provençal-Gothic style. After the building was partially destroyed by a fire after bombings during World War II, it was brought back to the alleged original state by a disputed restoration, which was completed in 1953. Some of the former convent buildings now host a museum. "Ecce Homo" - sculptures were popular icons at the very end of the Middle Ages. This one was carved by Giovanni da Nola (1478–1559)

Napoli - Santa Chiara

22 Nov 2020 100
Napoli is the regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy. Its metropolitan area has a population of more than 3 million. Founded by Greek settlers before 900 BC, Napoli was an important part of Magna Graecia and played a major role in the merging of Greek and Roman society. Following the decline of the Western Roman Empire Napoli was shortly ruled by the Ostrogoths. Byzantine troops captured the city in 536m but after the Byzantine exarchate Ravenna fell a Duchy of Naples was created. Over centuries the Duchy´s relations to Rome or Byzanz were hard-fought. In 836 Napoli could repel a siege of Lombard troops with the help of the Saracens, what did not prevent Muhammad I Abu 'l-Abbas in the 850s loot Napoli. In the 11th century, the Duchy hired Norman mercenaries and about 1140 it came under Norman control under Roger II, then King of Sicily. In 1228 Emperor Frederick II founded the first university in Europe here, making Napoli the intellectual centre of the kingdom. The conflict between the House of Hohenstaufen and the Papacy led in 1266 to Pope Innocent IV crowning the Angevin duke Charles I King of Sicily. Charles officially moved the capital from Palermo to Napoli. In 1282 after the "Sicilian Vespers", a successful rebellion on the island of Sicily against the rule of King Charles I, the Kingdom of Sicily was divided into two. The Angevin Kingdom of Naples included the southern part of the Italian peninsula, while the island of Sicily became the Aragonese Kingdom of Sicily. By the 17th century, Naples had become Europe's second-largest city – second only to Paris – with around 250000 inhabitants. The basilica is part of a former Poor Clare convent. It is the burial place of the Neapolitan kings from the two Capetian dynasties House Anjou and House Bourbon-Sicily. The monastic complex was built in 1313–1340 by Queen Sancha of Majorca and her husband King Robert of Naples. The church was erected in traditional Provençal-Gothic style. After the building was partially destroyed by a fire after bombings during World War II, it was brought back to the alleged original state by a disputed restoration, which was completed in 1953. Some of the former convent buildings now host a museum. Here is, what could be "reconstructed" after the bombings had destroyed the church during WWII. So many works of art share the fate of the Buddhas of Bamiyan.

Napoli - Santa Chiara

21 Nov 2020 106
Napoli is the regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy. Its metropolitan area has a population of more than 3 million. Founded by Greek settlers before 900 BC, Napoli was an important part of Magna Graecia and played a major role in the merging of Greek and Roman society. Following the decline of the Western Roman Empire Napoli was shortly ruled by the Ostrogoths. Byzantine troops captured the city in 536m but after the Byzantine exarchate Ravenna fell a Duchy of Naples was created. Over centuries the Duchy´s relations to Rome or Byzanz were hard-fought. In 836 Napoli could repel a siege of Lombard troops with the help of the Saracens, what did not prevent Muhammad I Abu 'l-Abbas in the 850s loot Napoli. In the 11th century, the Duchy hired Norman mercenaries and about 1140 it came under Norman control under Roger II, then King of Sicily. In 1228 Emperor Frederick II founded the first university in Europe here, making Napoli the intellectual centre of the kingdom. The conflict between the House of Hohenstaufen and the Papacy led in 1266 to Pope Innocent IV crowning the Angevin duke Charles I King of Sicily. Charles officially moved the capital from Palermo to Napoli. In 1282 after the "Sicilian Vespers", a successful rebellion on the island of Sicily against the rule of King Charles I, the Kingdom of Sicily was divided into two. The Angevin Kingdom of Naples included the southern part of the Italian peninsula, while the island of Sicily became the Aragonese Kingdom of Sicily. By the 17th century, Naples had become Europe's second-largest city – second only to Paris – with around 250000 inhabitants. The basilica is part of a former Poor Clare convent. It is the burial place of the Neapolitan kings from the two Capetian dynasties House Anjou and House Bourbon-Sicily. Seen in the centre is the tomb of Robert of Anjou (aka "Robert the Wise", 1276 – 1343). The monastic complex was built in 1313–1340 by Queen Sancha of Majorca and her husband King Robert of Naples. The church was erected in traditional Provençal-Gothic style. After the building was partially destroyed by a fire after bombings during World War II, it was brought back to the alleged original state by a disputed restoration, which was completed in 1953.

Napoli - Santa Chiara

20 Nov 2020 90
Napoli is the regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy. Its metropolitan area has a population of more than 3 million. Founded by Greek settlers before 900 BC, Napoli was an important part of Magna Graecia and played a major role in the merging of Greek and Roman society. Following the decline of the Western Roman Empire Napoli was shortly ruled by the Ostrogoths. Byzantine troops captured the city in 536m but after the Byzantine exarchate Ravenna fell a Duchy of Naples was created. Over centuries the Duchy´s relations to Rome or Byzanz were hard-fought. In 836 Napoli could repel a siege of Lombard troops with the help of the Saracens, what did not prevent Muhammad I Abu 'l-Abbas in the 850s loot Napoli. In the 11th century, the Duchy hired Norman mercenaries and about 1140 it came under Norman control under Roger II, then King of Sicily. In 1228 Emperor Frederick II founded the first university in Europe here, making Napoli the intellectual centre of the kingdom. The conflict between the House of Hohenstaufen and the Papacy led in 1266 to Pope Innocent IV crowning the Angevin duke Charles I King of Sicily. Charles officially moved the capital from Palermo to Napoli. In 1282 after the "Sicilian Vespers", a successful rebellion on the island of Sicily against the rule of King Charles I, the Kingdom of Sicily was divided into two. The Angevin Kingdom of Naples included the southern part of the Italian peninsula, while the island of Sicily became the Aragonese Kingdom of Sicily. By the 17th century, Naples had become Europe's second-largest city – second only to Paris – with around 250000 inhabitants. Tourists leave the red Hop-On Hop-Off bus near the Basilica di Santa Chiara. The basilica is part of a former Poor Clare convent. It is the burial place of the Neapolitan kings from the two Capetian dynasties House Anjou and House Bourbon-Sicily. The monastic complex was built in 1313–1340 by Queen Sancha of Majorca and her husband King Robert of Naples. The church was erected in traditional Provençal-Gothic style. After the building was partially destroyed by a fire after bombings during World War II, it was brought back to the alleged original state by a disputed restoration, which was completed in 1953.

Napoli - Santa Chiara

21 Nov 2020 1 104
Napoli is the regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy. Its metropolitan area has a population of more than 3 million. Founded by Greek settlers before 900 BC, Napoli was an important part of Magna Graecia and played a major role in the merging of Greek and Roman society. Following the decline of the Western Roman Empire Napoli was shortly ruled by the Ostrogoths. Byzantine troops captured the city in 536m but after the Byzantine exarchate Ravenna fell a Duchy of Naples was created. Over centuries the Duchy´s relations to Rome or Byzanz were hard-fought. In 836 Napoli could repel a siege of Lombard troops with the help of the Saracens, what did not prevent Muhammad I Abu 'l-Abbas in the 850s loot Napoli. In the 11th century, the Duchy hired Norman mercenaries and about 1140 it came under Norman control under Roger II, then King of Sicily. In 1228 Emperor Frederick II founded the first university in Europe here, making Napoli the intellectual centre of the kingdom. The conflict between the House of Hohenstaufen and the Papacy led in 1266 to Pope Innocent IV crowning the Angevin duke Charles I King of Sicily. Charles officially moved the capital from Palermo to Napoli. In 1282 after the "Sicilian Vespers", a successful rebellion on the island of Sicily against the rule of King Charles I, the Kingdom of Sicily was divided into two. The Angevin Kingdom of Naples included the southern part of the Italian peninsula, while the island of Sicily became the Aragonese Kingdom of Sicily. By the 17th century, Naples had become Europe's second-largest city – second only to Paris – with around 250000 inhabitants. The basilica is part of a former Poor Clare convent. It is the burial place of the Neapolitan kings from the two Capetian dynasties House Anjou and House Bourbon-Sicily. The monastic complex was built in 1313–1340 by Queen Sancha of Majorca and her husband King Robert of Naples. The church was erected in traditional Provençal-Gothic style. After the building was partially destroyed by a fire after bombings during World War II, it was brought back to the alleged original state by a disputed restoration, which was completed in 1953. The nave is 82 m long.

Assisi - Basilica di Santa Chiara

07 Jul 2016 195
Assisi is located on a steep slope (accessible via escalators) and a site of many a pilgrimage. Even in winter it can be very crowded - and a day before, we had to turn back, as all parking lots in the valley below were full. A day later, in heavy rain, we tried it again - and were in luck. Seen here is the façade of the "Basilica di Santa Chiara". Santa Chiara (= "Saint Clare") was a follower of Saint Francis of Assisi. She founded the "Order of Poor Ladies", known today as the "Order of Saint Clare" (aka "Poor Clares"). The construction of the early-Gothic church began in 1257, just 3 years after her death and 2 years after her canonization. Clare's remains were transferred to the basilica and buried under the altar. The coffin was found there in 1850. In 1872, the bones were transferred to a shrine in the neo-Gothic crypt, that had been erected here to receive them.