Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: carved

Nienburg is about 5 km northeast of Bernburg. Nienburg was mentioned in a document from the Gernrode monastery in 961. Around 970, the Jewish traveler Ibrahim ibn Jaqub, who came from Moorish Spain, mentions the place. For several centuries, Nienburg was on the eastern outer border of the Carolingian and German empires. A castle belonging to the Carolingians was probably built here in the 9th century. Between 930 and 950 the "New Castle" (= Nienburg) was built. The Benedictine abbey, founded in Thankmarsfelde in 970, was relocated to the fort in 975 with the aim of evangelizing the then Sorbian population of the region. In 1004 the first monastery church was consecrated in the presence of King Heinrich II, who was on a military campaign against the Poles. The church burned down in 1042. The 1042-1060 built successor was by Emperor Heinrich III. promoted. This building had a gallery transept in the west and a crypt under the chancel, of which a window can still be seen today. After a fire in 1242, the church was renovated. Moreover, the walls of the 11th century building continued to be used and increased. However, after another fire in 1280, the nave was designed as a three-nave, three-bay hall church. As a result of the Reformation and the Peasants' War, the monastery was handed over to the princes of Anhalt-Köthen in 1563, who converted the cloister building from 1680 to 1690 to use it as a palace and widow's residence. In 1871, the palace was sold to an industrialist who converted the building into a malt factory. A complex that is abandoned over long periods of course attracts people to carve in names and dates.

Lucca existed already in Etruscan times and became a Roman colony in 180 BC. The Diocese of Lucca dates back to the first century, legends tell, that St. Paulinus, a disciple of St. Peter, was the first Bishop of Lucca. In medieval times Lucca was the residence of the Margraves of Tuscany. After the death of Matilda of Tuscany (1115), Lucca constituted itself as an independent republic. Actually the "Republic of Lucca" existed from 1160 to 1805. The Cathedral of Saint Martin is the seat of the Archbishop of Lucca. The construction of the cathedral started in 1063, when Anselm (later Pope Alexander II) was bishop here. The western facade was begun in 1204 by Guido Bigarelli, who later sculpted (and signed!) the the octogonal baptismal font in the center of the Pisan Baptistery. He is one of the many gifted artists, that came from the area around the Lake Como and are known as "Comacine masters". All around the portico are numerous carved graffiti. Visitors left their names or initials. Here a knight on horseback. The small horse seems somehow out of proportion.

Lucca existed already in Etruscan times and became a Roman colony in 180 BC. The Diocese of Lucca dates back to the first century, legends tell, that St. Paulinus, a disciple of St. Peter, was the first Bishop of Lucca. In medieval times Lucca was the residence of the Margraves of Tuscany. After the death of Matilda of Tuscany (1115), Lucca constituted itself as an independent republic. Actually the "Republic of Lucca" existed from 1160 to 1805. The Cathedral of Saint Martin is the seat of the Archbishop of Lucca. The construction of the cathedral started in 1063, when Anselm (later Pope Alexander II) was bishop here. The western facade was begun in 1204 by Guido Bigarelli, who later sculpted (and signed!) the the octogonal baptismal font in the center of the Pisan Baptistery. He is one of the many gifted artists, that came from the area around the Lake Como and are known as "Comacine masters". All around the portico are numerous carved graffiti. Visitors left their names or initials. Some even tried a coat of arms, or a horse.