Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: telamon

Ruvo di Puglia, founded probably by Greek settlers, was a "municipium" in Roman times. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it got destroyed by Visigothic troops in the 5th centuryand later again by the Lombards. It was then Byzantine and later under Saracen and the Norman power. The Ruvo Cathedral, once the episcopal seat of the Diocese of Ruvo, is now a co-cathedral in the Diocese of Molfetta-Ruvo-Giovinazzo-Terlizzi. It was built over a previous church and is an important example of late Apulian Romanesque architecture, built between the 12th and 13th centuries. The current exterior is the result of early 20th-century restoration works which removed the Baroque additions. The church has a sloped façade with three portals. The central and larger one is flanked by two columns standing on lions and surmounted by griphons. The lions are supported by telamons. Seen in the archivolt are the twelve apostles.

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. The "Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio" is much older and was not destroyed by Barbarossa´s troops. It is one of the most ancient churches in Milan, built by St. Ambrose in 379–386, outside the city of Milan on the site of a cemetery, where the martyrs of the Roman persecutions had been buried. The first name of the church was "Basilica Martyrum". Ambrose, born into a noble family about 340 in (present-day) Trier (Germany), was governor of Liguria and Emilia for two years before he became the Bishop of Milan in 374 by popular acclamation. He was a staunch opponent of Arianism. Only very few traces of the first church can still be found, as in the centuries after its construction, the basilica underwent numerous restorations and reconstructions. The current Romanesque church, mostly built in brickwork, was begun around 1080. In 789, a Benedictine monastery was established here. The canons of the basilica, however, retained their own community. So two separate communities shared the basilica. In the 11th century, the canons adopted orders and became Canons Regular. From then on two separate monastic orders following different rules lived in the basilica. The canons were in the northern building, the cloister of the canons, while the monks were in the two southern buildings. The two towers symbolize the division in the basilica. The 9th century Torre dei Monaci ("Tower of the Monks") tower was used by the monks. However, the canons did not have a bell tower and were not allowed to ring bells until they finished the Canons' bell tower in the 12th Century. This tower got two additional levels in 1889. In 1943 the basilica got severely damaged by bombings. It took a decade to rebuilt and reconstruct the church. The ambo stands on the left side of the nave. From here the monks and canons read the Gospel. The ambo, supported by nine slender ancient columns, was built over a 4th century sarcophagus, known as "Stilicho's Sepulchre", between 1130 and 1143. When the roof of the basilica collapsed in 1196, the ambo got severely damaged, but it got rebuilt already in 1201. There are so many details all around the ambo.. The atlant (= telamon), surrounded by lions is attributed to the second master (or workshop), who worked here, named "Maestro del Telamone". The style is more complex and sculptural.

In the center of Modena, where the Duomo di Modena (aka "Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta e San Geminiano") is placed, churches have existed since the 5th century. After the burial site of Modena's patron Saint Geminianus, a former bishop (+397), was dicovered here, the existing cathedral seemed to small. The first stone laying for the cathedral of today took place in May 1099, strongly supported by Matilde di Canossa (aka "Matilda of Tuscany"). First architect was Master Lanfranco, descibed as "maestro ingenio clarus [...] doctus et aptus". The Duomo di Modena was consecrated in 1184, but the building process continued. It was finally completed in 1322. The interior of the Duomo is divided into one nave and two aisles, the interior length is 63 metres. The presbyterium is risen, below is a crypt. Between the central nave and the presbyterium/crypt is a large structure with a marble parapet. It was created by Anselmo da Campione portraying the Passion of Christ. Part of this impressive parapet is a pulpit. Below this are the atlantes, supporting it since more than 700 years. Anselmo da Campione, who came (like Lanfranco) from the area near the Lake Como, worked here with his workshop. These experienced specialists, known as "Maestri Campionesi" worked here over many decades. One of them was Anselmo´s grandson Arrigo da Campione.

In the center of Modena, where the Duomo di Modena (aka "Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta e San Geminiano") is placed, churches have existed since the 5th century. After the burial site of Modena's patron Saint Geminianus, a former bishop (+397), was dicovered here, the existing cathedral seemed to small. The first stone laying for the cathedral of today took place in May 1099, strongly supported by Matilde di Canossa (aka "Matilda of Tuscany"). First architect was Master Lanfranco, descibed as "maestro ingenio clarus [...] doctus et aptus". The Duomo di Modena was consecrated in 1184, but the building process continued. It was finally completed in 1322. The interior of the Duomo is divided into one nave and two aisles, the interior length is 63 metres. The presbyterium is risen, below is a crypt. Between the central nave and the presbyterium/crypt is a large structure with a marble parapet. It was created by Anselmo da Campione portraying the Passion of Christ. Part of this impressive parapet is this pulpit with the symbols of the evangelists. The pillars below the pulpit are based on lions and atlantes. Anselmo da Campione, who came (like Lanfranco) from the area near the Lake Como, worked here with his workshop. These experienced specialists, known as "Maestri Campionesi" worked here over many decades. One of them was Anselmo´s grandson Arrigo da Campione.