Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Christmas

Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the oldest churches of Rome. Legends have it that Pope Callixtus I (217-222) had the church built and that it got remodelled later a couple of times. Pope Innocent II (1130-1143) had it rebuilt on its old foundations. Since then It has the present form with three naves, lintelled columns, apse and transept, created largely by materials gleaned from the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla. As on Christmas Day the Community Sant'Egidio had invited to the wonderful "Pranzo di Natale" (see previous upload), the 12th century apse mosaic could only be seen from the side. The center has the "Coronation of the Virgin", what was pretty "modern" for that time (see "Senlis"). To the left is a "First Bath", that is a century younger.

Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the oldest churches of Rome. Legends have it that Pope Callixtus I (217-222) had the church built and that it got remodelled later a couple of times. Pope Innocent II (1130-1143) had it rebuilt on its old foundations. Since then It has the present form with three naves, lintelled columns, apse and transept, created largely by materials gleaned from the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla. Since more than 20 years the "Community of Sant` Egidio" invites hundreds of poor, homeless people to have Christmas lunch here. Everybody seemed happy during the "Pranzo di Natale". Merry Christmas!

Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the oldest churches of Rome. Legends have it that Pope Callixtus I (217-222) had the church built and that it got remodelled later a couple of times. Pope Innocent II (1130-1143) had it rebuilt on its old foundations. Since then It has the present form with three naves, lintelled columns, apse and transept, created largely by materials gleaned from the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla. The walls of the nartzhex are tiled with spolia. Here are some of spolia. The birds drinking from a chalice, but the barrel and the ship are clearly ancient graffiti.

Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the oldest churches of Rome. Legends have it that Pope Callixtus I (217-222) had the church built and that it got remodelled later a couple of times. Pope Innocent II (1130-1143) had it rebuilt on its old foundations. Since then It has the present form with three naves, lintelled columns, apse and transept, created largely by materials gleaned from the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla. The walls of the narthex are tiled with spolia.

Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the oldest churches of Rome. Legends have it that Pope Callixtus I (217-222) had the church built and that it got remodelled later a couple of times. Pope Innocent II (1130-1143) had it rebuilt on its old foundations. Since then It has the present form with three naves, lintelled columns, apse and transept, created largely by materials gleaned from the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla. The mosaic on the facade is clearly influenced by Byzantine works. The masters here surely knew the older mosaics from Ravenna. The mosaics are believed to be created end of the 12th century. They got retouched during a 19th century restauration.

Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the oldest churches of Rome. Legends have it that Pope Callixtus I (217-222) had the church built and that it got remodelled later a couple of times. Pope Innocent II (1130-1143) had it rebuilt on its old foundations. Since then It has the present form with three naves, lintelled columns, apse and transept, created largely by materials gleaned from the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla. The campanile is from the 12th century. The mosaics on the facade, clearly influenced by Byzantine works, are believed to be created end of the 12th century. They got retouched during a 19th century restauration.

Looking back. St. Peter's Square was still packed with people even after Pope France had left the loggia after the "Urbi et Orbi" and returned to his private rooms. Probably to enjoy Christmas dinner.

A large crowd had gathered on St. Peter's Square. After the Pontifical Swiss Guard and different branches of the Italian armed forces had taken position in front of St. Peter´s Basilica, Pope Francis entered the central loggia.

A large crowd had gathered on St. Peter's Square in front of St. Peter's Basilica. In about two hours the Pope would enter the central loggia of Saint Peter's Basilica and give the "Urbi et Orbi" address and blessing. The atmoshpere was relaxed and reminded me on a music festival. The Pontifical Swiss Guard in shining armour were already on the left side in front of Basilica (previous upload), while in the right side different branches of the armed forces took position. These branches were probably Italian, the State of Vatican does not maintain maritime and ground forces (any more).

A large crowd had gathered on St. Peter's Square in front of St. Peter's Basilica. In about two hours the Pope would enter the central loggia of Saint Peter's Basilica and give the "Urbi et Orbi" address and blessing. The atmoshpere was relaxed and reminded me on a music festival. The Pontifical Swiss Guard in shining armour took place on the left side in front of Basilica.

A large crowd had gathered on St. Peter's Square in front of St. Peter's Basilica. In about two hours the Pope would enter the central loggia of Saint Peter's Basilica and give the "Urbi et Orbi" address and blessing. The atmoshpere was relaxed and reminded me on a music festival. There was even an opening act, when different colourful uniformed troops, groups and bands paraded the square and took place in front of the Basilica.

Bright sunshine on Christmas morning. A large crowd has gathered on St. Peter's Square in front of St. Peter's Basilica. In about two hours the Pope would enter the central loggia of Saint Peter's Basilica and give the "Urbi et Orbi" address and blessing. The atmoshpere was relaxed and reminded me on a music festival, just before the top band enters the stage. There was even an opening act!