Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Nativity scene

Nativity scenes have a long tradition on the Hispanic peninsula. Well known are "Living Cribs" ("Belen Viviente"), one is in Arcos de la Frontera, where the streets are transformed to stages, where "real" people are starring. But as well miniature scenes, which are often full of details, are very popular. Many of these necessery details are offered in street markets. I found these pans with fried eggs with suausages on a treet market in Seville.

Nativity scenes have a long tradition on the Hispanic peninsula. Well known are "Living Cribs" ("Belen Viviente"), one is in Arcos de la Frontera, where the streets are transformed to stages, where "real" people are starring. But as well miniature scenes, which are often full of details, are very popular. Many of these necessery details are offered in street markets. I found these tiny fruits and vegetables on a treet market in Seville.

The small church, named completely "Pieve dei Santi Vito e Modesto a Corsignano", was built from tuff during the 11th and 12th century. I had found this wonderful church about a decade ago - and just had to return. Silvius Piccolomini was baptized in this church, who being Pope Pius II later, renamed and remodeled Pienza, supressed many convents and abbey in Tuscany - but fortunately did not touch the Pieve di Corsignano. The lintel of the elaborated side portal of the Pieve di Corsignano. The Magi (on horsebacks) approach Bethlehem, where the star can be seen in the corner. Two shepherds seem to fight. Two angels keep an eye on the Nativity scene. Ass and ox stand behind the crib - and Mary is seated to the right. Where is Joseph?

The small church, named completely "Pieve dei Santi Vito e Modesto a Corsignano", was built from tuff during the 11th and 12th century. I had found this wonderful church about a decade ago - and just had to return. Silvius Piccolomini was baptized in this church, who being Pope Pius II later, renamed and remodeled Pienza, supressed many convents and abbey in Tuscany - but fortunately did not touch the Pieve di Corsignano. The elaborated side portal of the Pieve di Corsignano. On the lintel the Magi on horsebacks approach Bethlehem. The side posts depicts animals and mythical creatures in a kind of geometric jungle.

San Giovanni Fuorcivitas was built outside the sity walls (= Fuorcivitas) during Lombard times. In 1119 Bishop Hildebrand of Pistoia notes down, that the church is "nearly in ruins", so soon after the building process started for the church seen here. The works were finally completed in 1344, when the church got enlarged by two bays. It may be, that Gruamonte was the first architect here. He may have created the green/white pattern of the wall, typical of other buildings in Pistoia. The interior is a very large hall and a rectangular apse. To take photographs is - unfortunately - strictly forbidden. It only took the guard two minutes to give me a severe warning and tell me, that he would lock the doors within a couple of minutes. So the very few photos I could take - are very blurry. The pulpit is a masterpiece created by Guglielmo Agnelli (aka "Fra Guglielmo") around 1270. Here is a detail. Below "Annunciation" and "Visitation" is a complex Nativity scene. In the center Mary and and infant Jesus, the Magi are approaching from the left, shepherds have gathered to the right. Joseph sits between the sheep. On the left the midwives prepare the "First Bath".

A diocese of Dolia (the ancient name of Dolianova) existed from 1089 until 1503, when it was merged into the archdiocese of Cagliari. The "Cattedrale di San Pantaleo", the bishop's seat of the former diocese, was erected within the 12th and the 13th century. It got consecrated in 1289. The church was built in Pisan-Romanesque style. The workshops, that decorated the façade and the outer walls had a significantly different style, than the artists, that worked inside the building. Here is the Nativity scene, carved within the 13th century. Around the same time Nicola Pisano started to create the Nativity scene for the pulpit of the Baptistery in Pisa.