Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: cap

The area was settled by Sorbs and Wends, but around 1200 the immigration of settlers, mainly from Lower Saxony, Westphalia and Flanders, began to build new towns and villages. The strategically good location on the Mulde prompted Margrave Otto the Rich to build a settlement in the Aue in 1170. Grimma received city rights in 1220. Around 1170, a Romanesque church was built near the old market square where a wooden church used to stand. This church was enlarged in Gothic style from 1220. The transept was built around 1462; The town fire of 1430 also damaged the church. Until the Reformation, the Frauenkirche was under the Bishop of Merseburg and was the seat of an archdeacon. Hats, caps, gloves and military items are offered here. Maybe epaulettes?

Uzès was a small Gallo-Roman oppidum near the huge Roman aqueduct, today named Pont du Gard. In the early 8th century, Uzès was a fortified civitas and bishopric under the Archbishop of Narbonne. During the Saracen invasion, Uzès became a stronghold of the Saracens and in 736 Charles Martel besieged the, but it remained in Saracen hands up to 752. A year later the former stronghold rebelled against the Franks - unsuccessfully. Today Uzès is a hotspot for tourists with nice places under shady trees to have a drink. And nice shops to buy a hat.

Already in 748, the place was a palace of the Agilolfinger, dukes of Bavaria. Forty years later it became the Carolingian royal palace. King Carloman of Bavaria (aka "Karlmann"), the oldest son of Louis the German founded a collegiate church in Altoetting in 876. This church got destroyed by Hungarian troops in 917. Only the octagon of the baptistery survived the destruction. The collegiate got refounded and the church got rebuilt later. In 1489 there were reports of two healing miracles which started the pilgrimage to Altoetting, that became one of the most important pilgrimage destinations of its time. The Shrine of Our Lady of Altoetting (aka "Chapel of Grace") is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The shrine is often called the "Lourdes of Germany". The octagonal chapel in the center dates back to the 8th century. The nave was added in 1494. Some historians even date the chapel back to about 660. It was probably once part of an Agilolfingian or Carolingian structure. Of course hundreds of different candles and other devotional objects are offered around the "Gnadenkapelle", but as well multi-coloured caps and hats - for just 15 Euros!

Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, has a long history, that starts around 8000 BC, but later there were Phoenician, Carthaginian, Greek and Roman periods. After the Roman Empire had fallen apart the Vandals tried to take over the island but failed. Finally, the Ostrogoths took possession. Mid of the 6th century Sicily was conquered by troops of the Byzantine Empire. After the advent of Islam, Sicily got attacked by the Arab forces. Raids seeking loot continued until the mid-8th century. A Muslim army was sent to the island in 827 but met with much resistance. So it took a century to conquer it and even later revolts constantly occurred In 1038 the Byzantines invaded the island supported by Norman mercenaries, led by Roger. In 1072, after the siege of Palermo, most of Sicily was under Norman control. Roger´s son Roger II raised the status of the island to a kingdom in 1130. During this period, the Kingdom of Sicily was prosperous and powerful, The court of Roger II became melting out of culture from Europe and the Middle East. This attracted scholars, scientists, artists, and artisans. Muslims, Jews, Greeks, Lombards, and Normans cooperated and created some extraordinary buildings. In 1186 the last descendant of Roger, Constance of Sicily married Emperor Henry VI, the second son of Barbarossa. So the crown of Sicily was passed on to the Hohenstaufen Dynasty. Frederick II, the only son of Constance, was crowned King of Sicily at the age of four in 1198. He became "Stupor Mundi", one of the greatest and most cultured men of the Middle Ages. Palermo, founded in 734 BC by the Phoenicians, became a possession of Carthage and later was part of the Roman Empire. From 831 to 1072 the city was under Arab rule. Following the Norman conquest, Palermo became the capital of a new Kingdom of Sicily and the capital of the Holy Roman Empire under Emperor Frederick II and King Conrad IV. The company produces hats and caps since 1908. There is even a website www.berrettificiosiciliano.com/