Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: cosmatesque

Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, has a long history, that starts around 8000 BC, but later there were Phoenician, Carthaginian, Greek and Roman periods. After the Roman Empire had fallen apart the Vandals tried to take over the island but failed. Finally, the Ostrogoths took possession. Mid of the 6th century Sicily was conquered by troops of the Byzantine Empire. After the advent of Islam, Sicily got attacked by the Arab forces. Raids seeking loot continued until the mid-8th century. A Muslim army was sent to the island in 827 but met with much resistance. So it took a century to conquer it and even later revolts constantly occurred In 1038 the Byzantines invaded the island supported by Norman mercenaries, led by Roger. In 1072, after the siege of Palermo, most of Sicily was under Norman control. Roger´s son Roger II raised the status of the island to a kingdom in 1130. During this period, the Kingdom of Sicily was prosperous and powerful, The court of Roger II became melting out of culture from Europe and the Middle East. This attracted scholars, scientists, artists, and artisans. Muslims, Jews, Greeks, Lombards, and Normans cooperated and created some extraordinary buildings. In 1186 the last descendant of Roger, Constance of Sicily married Emperor Henry VI, the second son of Barbarossa. So the crown of Sicily was passed on to the Hohenstaufen Dynasty. Frederick II, the only son of Constance, was crowned King of Sicily at the age of four in 1198. He became "Stupor Mundi", one of the greatest and most cultured men of the Middle Ages. Palermo, founded in 734 BC by the Phoenicians, became a possession of Carthage and later was part of the Roman Empire. From 831 to 1072 the city was under Arab rule. Following the Norman conquest, Palermo became the capital of a new Kingdom of Sicily and the capital of the Holy Roman Empire under Emperor Frederick II and King Conrad IV. The Martorana, overlooking the Piazza Bellini, is located next to the "Chiesa de San Cataldo" (right). The church is as well known under the name "Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio" and serves the Italo-Albanian parish of San Nicolò dei Greci, who officiate the liturgy according to the Byzantine Rite in the ancient Greek language. The church was founded by (Syrian) George of Antioch, Ammiratus (Admiral) of Rogers II of Sicily, and built in 1143. Originally it was built over the layout of a Greek cross-in-square, but it has undergone numerous structural changes and additions throughout history. In 1435 the church was annexed to the Benedictine convent of Eloisia Martorana. The interior of the church is breathtaking. During the iconoclasms the Byzantine Iconoclasms (730-850) Byzantine craftsmen and artists settled and worked in the west (eg Ravenna, Rome..). These mosaics were created by these artists. The floor as well is decorated in "cosmatesque" style . Here "two birds drinking from a chalice, an Eucharistic symbol, associated with Baptism and Resurrection. Because of its richness, the church was visited, in the late 12th century, by the Arab traveller Ibn Jubayr, who left a detailed description of the church, defined as “the most beautiful monument in the world”.

Cologne is the fourth-largest city in Germany - and one of the oldest. A Germanic tribe, the Ubii, had a settlement here, this was named by the Romans "Oppidum Ubiorum". In 50 AD, the Romans founded "Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium", the city then became the provincial capital of "Germania Inferior". The "Severin Strasse" named after the church once was a Roman road running south through a Roman necropolis. An Christian oratory existed here already at the end of the 4th century. In Carolingian times a basilica was here. A community of clerics had settled and already before 800 St. Severin, the third Bishop of Cologne, is documented as patron saint. The construction of a three-aisled basilica started in the 10th century. About 1230 the choir was extended over the hall crypt (which is mostly locked nowadays). The new choir got consecrated in 1237. Around 1500 the Romanesque church got reconstructed in Gothic style and the Gothic tower was finally completed in 1550. The convent got dissolved 1802 after the French took over Cologne and St. Severin became a parish church. During WWII St. Severin got severely damaged, the vaults of the central nave were down, all roofs were destroyed. The reconstruction was done 1945 - 1961. After a restoration, that was completed in 2017, for a while in 2017 all furniture was taken out and some mosaics, that may have survived WWII could be seen. They are in a decorative, geometric style called "cosmatesque". This technique goes back to the Roman family Cosmati, the leading family workshop of marble craftsmen for generations. It is said, that Laurenzo Cosmati (~ 1150) was apprentice of Greek / Byzantine Masters. His sons continued the work. Upto about 1300 the comatesque style spread all over Europe.

The first church probably existed here, on the siland of Murona, already in the 7th century. A large church, named "Santa Mariae plebis Murianensis" was erected within the 10th century. Legends connect the building to Otto I, and it is proven that it was completed in 999. This church got rebuild around 1040. In 1125, the relics of St. Donatus, that had been attained by the Venitian forces, led by Doge Domenico Michele, were translated to this church. The church and the campanile are built with red bricks. Santa Maria e San Donato, once the cathedral of the Bishops of Murano and Torcellino, is known for the fantastic floor mosaics and cosmatesque decorations, that, following the inscription, seen here, was completed 1140. The mosaics cover the complete floor of the church. The "Funeral of Fox", going back to one of Aesop´s fabels. The story (the fox only only pretends to be dead - and in the end..) was as well told in the very popular "Le Roman de Renart" written down around 1170 in Northern France. Similar mosaics are in Venice (San Marco) and Ravenna (San Giovanni Evangelista).

The first church probably existed here, on the siland of Murona, already in the 7th century. A large church, named "Santa Mariae plebis Murianensis" was erected within the 10th century. Legends connect the building to Otto I, and it is proven that it was completed in 999. This church got rebuild around 1040. In 1125, the relics of St. Donatus, that had been attained by the Venitian forces, led by Doge Domenico Michele, were translated to this church. The church and the campanile are built with red bricks. Santa Maria e San Donato, once the cathedral of the Bishops of Murano and Torcellino, is known for the fantastic floor mosaics and cosmatesque decorations, that, following the inscription, seen here, was completed 1140. The mosaics cover the complete floor of the church. Eagle and prey. Poor little Bambi!

The first church probably existed here, on the siland of Murona, already in the 7th century. A large church, named "Santa Mariae plebis Murianensis" was erected within the 10th century. Legends connect the building to Otto I, and it is proven that it was completed in 999. This church got rebuild around 1040. In 1125, the relics of St. Donatus, that had been attained by the Venitian forces, led by Doge Domenico Michele, were translated to this church. The church and the campanile are built with red bricks. Santa Maria e San Donato, once the cathedral of the Bishops of Murano and Torcellino, is known for the fantastic floor mosaics and cosmatesque decorations, that, following the inscription, seen here, was completed 1140. The mosaics cover the complete floor of the church. I have no idea, what exactly threse creatures are. Mating insects? Fighting bugs? Whatever these little critters may be - is there a story behind them?

The first church probably existed here, on the siland of Murona, already in the 7th century. A large church, named "Santa Mariae plebis Murianensis" was erected within the 10th century. Legends connect the building to Otto I, and it is proven that it was completed in 999. This church got rebuild around 1040. In 1125, the relics of St. Donatus, that had been attained by the Venitian forces, led by Doge Domenico Michele, were translated to this church. The church and the campanile are built with red bricks. Santa Maria e San Donato, once the cathedral of the Bishops of Murano and Torcellino, is known for the fantastic floor mosaics and cosmatesque decorations, that, following the inscription, seen here, was completed 1140. The mosaics cover the complete floor of the church. Many birds of different species, always symmetrically placed, flanking a tree or flower can be seen under the church benches.

The first church probably existed here, on the siland of Murona, already in the 7th century. A large church, named "Santa Mariae plebis Murianensis" was erected within the 10th century. Legends connect the building to Otto I, and it is proven that it was completed in 999. This church got rebuild around 1040. In 1125, the relics of St. Donatus, that had been attained by the Venitian forces, led by Doge Domenico Michele, were translated to this church. The church and the campanile are built with red bricks. Santa Maria e San Donato, once the cathedral of the Bishops of Murano and Torcellino, is known for the fantastic floor mosaics and cosmatesque decorations, that, following the inscription, seen here, was completed 1140. The mosaics cover the complete floor of the church. Here are two griffins - under the churchbenches.

The first church probably existed here, on the siland of Murona, already in the 7th century. A large church, named "Santa Mariae plebis Murianensis" was erected within the 10th century. Legends connect the building to Otto I, and it is proven that it was completed in 999. This church got rebuild around 1040. In 1125, the relics of St. Donatus, that had been attained by the Venitian forces, led by Doge Domenico Michele, were translated to this church. The church and the campanile are built with red bricks. Santa Maria e San Donato, once the cathedral of the Bishops of Murano and Torcellino, is known for the fantastic floor mosaics and cosmatesque decorations, that, following the inscription, seen here, was completed 1140. The mosaics cover the complete floor of the church. Here are eagles - under the churchbenches.

The first church probably existed here, on the siland of Murona, already in the 7th century. A large church, named "Santa Mariae plebis Murianensis" was erected within the 10th century. Legends connect the building to Otto I, and it is proven that it was completed in 999. This church got rebuild around 1040. In 1125, the relics of St. Donatus, that had been attained by the Venitian forces, led by Doge Domenico Michele, were translated to this church. The church and the campanile are built with red bricks. Santa Maria e San Donato, once the cathedral of the Bishops of Murano and Torcellino, is known for the fantastic floor mosaics and cosmatesque decorations, that, following the inscription, seen here, was completed 1140. These works are called "cosmatesque" after the Roman family Cosmati, who were the leading family workshop of marble craftsmen for generations. It is said, that Laurenzo Cosmati (~ 1150) was apprentice of Greek / Byzantine Masters. The floor seen here was probably completed before Laurenzo Cosmati was born. This floor was done by by Greek/Byzantine Masters.

The first church probably existed here, on the siland of Murona, already in the 7th century. A large church, named "Santa Mariae plebis Murianensis" was erected within the 10th century. Legends connect the building to Otto I, and it is proven that it was completed in 999. This church got rebuild around 1040. In 1125, the relics of St. Donatus, that had been attained by the Venitian forces, led by Doge Domenico Michele, were translated to this church. The church and the campanile are built with red bricks. Santa Maria e San Donato, once the cathedral of the Bishops of Murano and Torcellino, is known for the fantastic floor mosaics and cosmatesque decorations, that, following an inscription, was completed 1140. They were probably done by Greek / Byzantine Masters. Seen in the apse (far away) is a Maria Orante (as well before 1140).

The Narni Cathedral (aka "Concattedrale di San Giovenale", "Duomo di Narni") was built from 1047 on and consecrated in 1145 by Pope Eugenius III. A smaller church had existed here since the 6th century. It had been erected over the tomb of San Giovenale, an early missionary in southern Umbria, the first bishop here and today the patron saint of Narni. The church got damaged over the centuries by wars, earthquakes and landslides, so it had to be reconstructed and renovated a couple of times. Beneath the "modern" tiles of the nave is are "cosmatesque" mosaics. The style goes back to the Roman family Cosmati, the leading family workshop of marble craftsmen for generations.

Santa Maria Maggiore was erected under Pope Sixtus III (432–440) and retains the core of its original structure, despite several alterations, redecorations and additions, especially after the earthquake of 1348 had damaged the basilica. The apse and the transept arms date to the 13th century. Santa Maria Maggiore is one of the first churches built in honour of the Virgin Mary. The building started just after Council of Ephesus (431), which proclaimed Mary Mother of God. It is one of the four Papal Basilicas and one of the seven Pilgrim Churches in Rome. The 36 white marble columns supporting the nave came probably from an antique Roman temple. Above them are 36 mosaics dated to the 5th century. The floor has a "cosmatesque" mosaics from around 1150. The style goes back to the Roman family Cosmati, the leading family workshop of marble craftsmen for generations. On display in the the Borghese Chapel of the Basilica is the "Salus Populi Romani", a venerated image of the Virgin. The Byzantine icon of the Madonna and Child, is possibly originally of the 5th century.

Santa Maria Maggiore was erected under Pope Sixtus III (432–440) and retains the core of its original structure, despite several alterations, redecorations and additions, especially after the earthquake of 1348 had damaged the basilica. The apse and the transept arms date to the 13th century. Santa Maria Maggiore is one of the first churches built in honour of the Virgin Mary. The building started just after Council of Ephesus (431), which proclaimed Mary Mother of God. It is one of the four Papal Basilicas and one of the seven Pilgrim Churches in Rome. The 36 white marble columns supporting the nave came probably from an antique Roman temple. Above them are 36 mosaics dated to the 5th century. The floor has a "cosmatesque" mosaics from around 1150. The style goes back to the Roman family Cosmati, the leading family workshop of marble craftsmen for generations.

Florentina was established in Roman times as a settlement for veteran soldiers. The name had changed already, when young Charlemagne conquered the town in 774. It became part of the Duchy of Tuscany, with Lucca as capital. Around 1000 Margrave Hugo chose Florence as residency instead of Lucca. After the death of Matilda of Tuscany (1115), the Florentines formed a republic was ruled by a council. The town prospered, despite a constant fight between the different factions and noble families. In the 15th century, Florence was among the largest and wealthiest cities in Europe. This was, when the Medici family entered the political scene. As a dynasty of art loving, power hungry bankers, they made Florence the birthplace of the Renaissance. There are is legend about St. Miniato. He was an Armenian prince, who either came to Florence serving in the Roman Army or had come to Italy on a pilgrimage and lived as a hermit here... Anyway Emperor Decius, persecuting Christians, sentenced him to death. Wondrously he survived furnace and lapidation and even a lion in the amphitheater refused to devour him. Finally he was beheaded near the Arno river. Being a kephalophor (like Saint Denis, Saint Sever, Saint Gohard, Saint Élophe..) Miniato picked up his head and carried it away. He crossed the Arno and walked uphill to die finally in his hermitage. A small convent developed on the spot later. In 783 Charlemagne endowed property to the convent. Emperor Otto II confirmed "privileges" in 971, but times got tough. Already in 1013 Bishop Alibrando (aka "Hildebrand") replaced the "ruined church", endowed by the Emperor Henry II (aka "Saint Henry") and his wife Cunigunde (aka "Saint Cunigunde"). 5 years later Alibrando consecrated the "Basilica di San Miniato al Monte". Most of today´s church got remodeled and altered in the 11th and 12th century. The nave ends at a freestanding chapel ("Cappella del Crocefisso"). The choir above the crypt is raised. The floor of the nave is dated to ~ 1210. This is a fantastic mosaic in a decorative, geometric style called "cosmatesque". This style actually goes back to the Roman family Cosmati, the leading family workshop of marble craftsmen for generations. It is said, that Laurenzo Cosmati (~ 1150) was apprentice of Greek / Byzantine Masters. His sons continued the work. Most works of the Cosmati family are in and around Rome, some are even signed. Upto about 1300 the comatesque style spread all over Europe. Here is another detail of the floor: the symbols of the zodiac.

Florentina was established in Roman times as a settlement for veteran soldiers. The name had changed already, when young Charlemagne conquered the town in 774. It became part of the Duchy of Tuscany, with Lucca as capital. Around 1000 Margrave Hugo chose Florence as residency instead of Lucca. After the death of Matilda of Tuscany (1115), the Florentines formed a republic was ruled by a council. The town prospered, despite a constant fight between the different factions and noble families. In the 15th century, Florence was among the largest and wealthiest cities in Europe. This was, when the Medici family entered the political scene. As a dynasty of art loving, power hungry bankers, they made Florence the birthplace of the Renaissance. There are is legend about St. Miniato. He was an Armenian prince, who either came to Florence serving in the Roman Army or had come to Italy on a pilgrimage and lived as a hermit here... Anyway Emperor Decius, persecuting Christians, sentenced him to death. Wondrously he survived furnace and lapidation and even a lion in the amphitheater refused to devour him. Finally he was beheaded near the Arno river. Being a kephalophor (like Saint Denis, Saint Sever, Saint Gohard, Saint Élophe..) Miniato picked up his head and carried it away. He crossed the Arno and walked uphill to die finally in his hermitage. A small convent developed on the spot later. In 783 Charlemagne endowed property to the convent. Emperor Otto II confirmed "privileges" in 971, but times got tough. Already in 1013 Bishop Alibrando (aka "Hildebrand") replaced the "ruined church", endowed by the Emperor Henry II (aka "Saint Henry") and his wife Cunigunde (aka "Saint Cunigunde"). 5 years later Alibrando consecrated the "Basilica di San Miniato al Monte". Most of today´s church got remodeled and altered in the 11th and 12th century. The nave ends at a freestanding chapel ("Cappella del Crocefisso"). The arches open to a very large (and dark) crypt. The choir above the crypt is raised. Here is the floor of the nave, that looks like a carpet runs down to the chapel. It is dated to ~ 1210. This is a fantastic mosaic in a decorative, geometric style called "cosmatesque". This style actually goes back to the Roman family Cosmati, the leading family workshop of marble craftsmen for generations. It is said, that Laurenzo Cosmati (~ 1150) was apprentice of Greek / Byzantine Masters. His sons continued the work. Most works of the Cosmati family are in and around Rome, some are even signed. Upto about 1300 the comatesque style spread all over Europe. A detail of the nave´s floor. Lions, birds, griffins - all pairwise in a geometric pattern. Looks like lace from a certain distance.

Florentina was established in Roman times as a settlement for veteran soldiers. The name had changed already, when young Charlemagne conquered the town in 774. It became part of the Duchy of Tuscany, with Lucca as capital. Around 1000 Margrave Hugo chose Florence as residency instead of Lucca. After the death of Matilda of Tuscany (1115), the Florentines formed a republic was ruled by a council. The town prospered, despite a constant fight between the different factions and noble families. In the 15th century, Florence was among the largest and wealthiest cities in Europe. This was, when the Medici family entered the political scene. As a dynasty of art loving, power hungry bankers, they made Florence the birthplace of the Renaissance. There are is legend about St. Miniato. He was an Armenian prince, who either came to Florence serving in the Roman Army or had come to Italy on a pilgrimage and lived as a hermit here... Anyway Emperor Decius, persecuting Christians, sentenced him to death. Wondrously he survived furnace and lapidation and even a lion in the amphitheater refused to devour him. Finally he was beheaded near the Arno river. Being a kephalophor (like Saint Denis, Saint Sever, Saint Gohard, Saint Élophe..) Miniato picked up his head and carried it away. He crossed the Arno and walked uphill to die finally in his hermitage. A small convent developed on the spot later. In 783 Charlemagne endowed property to the convent. Emperor Otto II confirmed "privileges" in 971, but times got tough. Already in 1013 Bishop Alibrando (aka "Hildebrand") replaced the "ruined church", endowed by the Emperor Henry II (aka "Saint Henry") and his wife Cunigunde (aka "Saint Cunigunde"). 5 years later Alibrando consecrated the "Basilica di San Miniato al Monte". Most of today´s church got remodeled and altered in the 11th and 12th century. The nave ends at a freestanding chapel ("Cappella del Crocefisso"). The arches open to a very large (and dark) crypt. The choir above the crypt is raised. Here is the floor of the nave, that looks like a carpet runs down to the chapel. It is dated to ~ 1210. This is a fantastic mosaic in a decorative, geometric style called "cosmatesque". This style actually goes back to the Roman family Cosmati, the leading family workshop of marble craftsmen for generations. It is said, that Laurenzo Cosmati (~ 1150) was apprentice of Greek / Byzantine Masters. His sons continued the work. Most works of the Cosmati family are in and around Rome, some are even signed. The comatesque style spread all over Europe and can still be find in England (Westminster Abbey) and Austria (Gurk Cathedral).