Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Pienza

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 posts of the side portal are populated with animals (lion, dog) and mythical creatures (centaur). On the right floats a kind of crowned and winged sea-horse.

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.

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. There is a nave and two aisles. These slabs seem to be older than the church, adorned with typical Carolingian nodes. Behind a small stair leads down to the crypt.

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. Above the portal of the facade is this biforium. A strong little lady supports the roof. 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 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 small church, named completely "Pieve dei Santi Vito e Modesto a Corsignano", was built from tuff during the 11th and 12th century. The cylindrical bell tower is probably the oldest part of the complex. 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 magi riding on horsebacks, approaching Bethlehem. The two first show the direction with their hand. The annunciation to the shepherds. Another angle guards the swaddled Jesus in the crib. Ox and ass watch him as well.

The side door, showing the three Magi on the lintel and fighting scenes on the rigt pillar..

..there was a very narrow stair leading down into the dark. A strange smell. Reached the end of the stair. Now it was pitchdark. There was an iron grill. I walked on very cautiosly and found out, that there was a big pillar. The only way, to see that, was to use the flashlight. So I saw, that in the middle of the low dark crypt of the small church is a massive pillar with an archaic capital, compared to the carvings "upstairs". Maybe the crypt is older..

The top part of the pight pillar next to the main entrance

The small 12th century church was built from tuff. Silvius Piccolomini was baptized in this church, who being Pope Pio II later, renamed and remodeled Pienza - but fortunately did not touch the Pieve di Corsignano. Here is the lintel of the main entrance, seeming very mythological and fantastic to me. A twotailed siren in the middle, another onetailed left, holding a kind of violin, a "beast" whispers into her ear. Maybe even licks the ear. Two ladies dancing (?) on the right side - and another beasts, whispering or licking.On boths sides under the lintel (not on the photo) are two very weathered and partly destroyed exhibitionistic figures. Male left - femal right.