Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Matilda of Canossa

Cremona, located on the left bank of the Po river, was founded by the Romans as a military outpost against the local Celtic tribes. Cremona grew into a large town in 69 AD, when it was sacked and destroyed by the troops of Vespasian, fighting to install him as Emperor against his rival Vitellius. Cremona was rebuilt, but it seems to have failed to regain its former prosperity. When the Lombards invaded Italy in the 6th century, Cremona was a Byzantine stronghold as part of the Exarchate of Ravenna. In 603 Cremona was conquered by the Lombard King Agilulf and again destroyed, rebuilt in 615, and ruled by Lombard dukes. Cremona is first mentioned in a document of 1098, by which the city received a territory as a fief from the Margravine Matilda of Canossa. In the war of the Lombard League against Frederick Barbarossa, Cremona, after having participated in the destruction of Crema in 1160 and Milan in 1162, finally joined the League. In the conflicts between the Ghibellines and the Guelfs, Cremona, sided with the Ghibellines. Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, made a triumphal procession in Cremona in 1237, showing off his elephant. This animal is known today as the "Cremona Elephant". With the final downfall of the Hohenstaufen, the Guelfs came to power in Cremona. The city rebelled against King Henry VII in 1311, but eventually surrendered; it was deprived of many rights on Henry's orders, and the city fortifications were demolished. Finally, Cremona was taken possession of by Galeazzo I Visconti in 1322. The construction of the octogonal "Cremona Baptistery" next to the Cathedral started in 1167. At that time the cathedral was not completed. The baptistery measures 34 meters in height and 20.50 meters in diameter. During the time of the Renaissance some alterations were done. One was to cover the bare brick walls with white marble. This was started, but never completed.

Cremona, located on the left bank of the Po river, was founded by the Romans as a military outpost against the local Celtic tribes. Cremona grew into a large town in 69 AD, when it was sacked and destroyed by the troops of Vespasian, fighting to install him as Emperor against his rival Vitellius. Cremona was rebuilt, but it seems to have failed to regain its former prosperity. When the Lombards invaded Italy in the 6th century, Cremona was a Byzantine stronghold as part of the Exarchate of Ravenna. In 603 Cremona was conquered by the Lombard King Agilulf and again destroyed, rebuilt in 615, and ruled by Lombard dukes. Cremona is first mentioned in a document of 1098, by which the city received a territory as a fief from the Margravine Matilda of Canossa. In the war of the Lombard League against Frederick Barbarossa, Cremona, after having participated in the destruction of Crema in 1160 and Milan in 1162, finally joined the League. In the conflicts between the Ghibellines and the Guelfs, Cremona, sided with the Ghibellines. Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, made a triumphal procession in Cremona in 1237, showing off his elephant. This animal is known today as the "Cremona Elephant". With the final downfall of the Hohenstaufen, the Guelfs came to power in Cremona. The city rebelled against King Henry VII in 1311, but eventually surrendered; it was deprived of many rights on Henry's orders, and the city fortifications were demolished. Finally, Cremona was taken possession of by Galeazzo I Visconti in 1322. The foundation stone was laid in 1107, but 10 years later the construction collapsed due to an earthquake. It was not until 1129 that a new building was started. The cathedral was consecrated in 1190. At this time, the church did not yet have its present shape. The façade was not completed until the 15th century. The redesign of the narthex replaced a simpler wooden connection between the cathedral and the bell tower. It gave the piazza the appearance that is roughly the same as today. School trip to the cathedral in December

Cremona, located on the left bank of the Po river, was founded by the Romans as a military outpost against the local Celtic tribes. Cremona grew into a large town in 69 AD, when it was sacked and destroyed by the troops of Vespasian, fighting to install him as Emperor against his rival Vitellius. Cremona was rebuilt, but it seems to have failed to regain its former prosperity. When the Lombards invaded Italy in the 6th century, Cremona was a Byzantine stronghold as part of the Exarchate of Ravenna. In 603 Cremona was conquered by the Lombard King Agilulf and again destroyed, rebuilt in 615, and ruled by Lombard dukes. Cremona is first mentioned in a document of 1098, by which the city received a territory as a fief from the Margravine Matilda of Canossa. In the war of the Lombard League against Frederick Barbarossa, Cremona, after having participated in the destruction of Crema in 1160 and Milan in 1162, finally joined the League. In the conflicts between the Ghibellines and the Guelfs, Cremona, sided with the Ghibellines. Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, made a triumphal procession in Cremona in 1237, showing off his elephant. This animal is known today as the "Cremona Elephant". With the final downfall of the Hohenstaufen, the Guelfs came to power in Cremona. The city rebelled against King Henry VII in 1311, but eventually surrendered; it was deprived of many rights on Henry's orders, and the city fortifications were demolished. Finally, Cremona was taken possession of by Galeazzo I Visconti in 1322. The foundation stone was laid in 1107, but 10 years later the construction collapsed due to an earthquake. It was not until 1129 that a new building was started. The cathedral was consecrated in 1190. At this time, the church did not yet have its present shape. The façade was not completed until the 15th century. The redesign of the narthex replaced a simpler wooden connection between the cathedral and the bell tower. It gave the piazza the appearance that is roughly the same as today. Details of the cathedral façade.

Cremona, located on the left bank of the Po river, was founded by the Romans as a military outpost against the local Celtic tribes. Cremona grew into a large town in 69 AD, when it was sacked and destroyed by the troops of Vespasian, fighting to install him as Emperor against his rival Vitellius. Cremona was rebuilt, but it seems to have failed to regain its former prosperity. When the Lombards invaded Italy in the 6th century, Cremona was a Byzantine stronghold as part of the Exarchate of Ravenna. In 603 Cremona was conquered by the Lombard King Agilulf and again destroyed, rebuilt in 615, and ruled by Lombard dukes. Cremona is first mentioned in a document of 1098, by which the city received a territory as a fief from the Margravine Matilda of Canossa. In the war of the Lombard League against Frederick Barbarossa, Cremona, after having participated in the destruction of Crema in 1160 and Milan in 1162, finally joined the League. In the conflicts between the Ghibellines and the Guelfs, Cremona, sided with the Ghibellines. Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, made a triumphal procession in Cremona in 1237, showing off his elephant. This animal is known today as the "Cremona Elephant". With the final downfall of the Hohenstaufen, the Guelfs came to power in Cremona. The city rebelled against King Henry VII in 1311, but eventually surrendered; it was deprived of many rights on Henry's orders, and the city fortifications were demolished. Finally, Cremona was taken possession of by Galeazzo I Visconti in 1322. The foundation stone was laid in 1107, but 10 years later the construction collapsed due to an earthquake. It was not until 1129 that a new building was started. The cathedral was consecrated in 1190. At this time, the church did not yet have its present shape. The façade was not completed until the 15th century. The redesign of the narthex replaced a simpler wooden connection between the cathedral and the bell tower. It gave the piazza the appearance that is roughly the same as today. Details of the cathedral façade. The signs of the zodiac / The labours of the month.

Cremona, located on the left bank of the Po river, was founded by the Romans as a military outpost against the local Celtic tribes. Cremona grew into a large town in 69 AD, when it was sacked and destroyed by the troops of Vespasian, fighting to install him as Emperor against his rival Vitellius. Cremona was rebuilt, but it seems to have failed to regain its former prosperity. When the Lombards invaded Italy in the 6th century, Cremona was a Byzantine stronghold as part of the Exarchate of Ravenna. In 603 Cremona was conquered by the Lombard King Agilulf and again destroyed, rebuilt in 615, and ruled by Lombard dukes. Cremona is first mentioned in a document of 1098, by which the city received a territory as a fief from the Margravine Matilda of Canossa. In the war of the Lombard League against Frederick Barbarossa, Cremona, after having participated in the destruction of Crema in 1160 and Milan in 1162, finally joined the League. In the conflicts between the Ghibellines and the Guelfs, Cremona, sided with the Ghibellines. Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, made a triumphal procession in Cremona in 1237, showing off his elephant. This animal is known today as the "Cremona Elephant". With the final downfall of the Hohenstaufen, the Guelfs came to power in Cremona. The city rebelled against King Henry VII in 1311, but eventually surrendered; it was deprived of many rights on Henry's orders, and the city fortifications were demolished. Finally, Cremona was taken possession of by Galeazzo I Visconti in 1322. The foundation stone was laid in 1107, but 10 years later the construction collapsed due to an earthquake. It was not until 1129 that a new building was started. The cathedral was consecrated in 1190. At this time, the church did not yet have its present shape. The façade was not completed until the 15th century. The redesign of the narthex replaced a simpler wooden connection between the cathedral and the bell tower. It gave the piazza the appearance that is roughly the same as today. Details of the cathedral façade

Cremona, located on the left bank of the Po river, was founded by the Romans as a military outpost against the local Celtic tribes. Cremona grew into a large town in 69 AD, when it was sacked and destroyed by the troops of Vespasian, fighting to install him as Emperor against his rival Vitellius. Cremona was rebuilt, but it seems to have failed to regain its former prosperity. When the Lombards invaded Italy in the 6th century, Cremona was a Byzantine stronghold as part of the Exarchate of Ravenna. In 603 Cremona was conquered by the Lombard King Agilulf and again destroyed, rebuilt in 615, and ruled by Lombard dukes. Cremona is first mentioned in a document of 1098, by which the city received a territory as a fief from the Margravine Matilda of Canossa. In the war of the Lombard League against Frederick Barbarossa, Cremona, after having participated in the destruction of Crema in 1160 and Milan in 1162, finally joined the League. In the conflicts between the Ghibellines and the Guelfs, Cremona, sided with the Ghibellines. Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, made a triumphal procession in Cremona in 1237, showing off his elephant. This animal is known today as the "Cremona Elephant". With the final downfall of the Hohenstaufen, the Guelfs came to power in Cremona. The city rebelled against King Henry VII in 1311, but eventually surrendered; it was deprived of many rights on Henry's orders, and the city fortifications were demolished. Finally, Cremona was taken possession of by Galeazzo I Visconti in 1322. The foundation stone was laid in 1107, but 10 years later the construction collapsed due to an earthquake. It was not until 1129 that a new building was started. The cathedral was consecrated in 1190. At this time, the church did not yet have its present shape. The façade was not completed until the 15th century. The redesign of the narthex replaced a simpler wooden connection between the cathedral and the high bell tower. It gave the piazza the appearance that is roughly the same as today.

Cremona, located on the left bank of the Po river, was founded by the Romans as a military outpost against the local Celtic tribes. Cremona grew into a large town in 69 AD, when it was sacked and destroyed by the troops of Vespasian, fighting to install him as Emperor against his rival Vitellius. Cremona was rebuilt, but it seems to have failed to regain its former prosperity. When the Lombards invaded Italy in the 6th century, Cremona was a Byzantine stronghold as part of the Exarchate of Ravenna. In 603 Cremona was conquered by the Lombard King Agilulf and again destroyed, rebuilt in 615, and ruled by Lombard dukes. Cremona is first mentioned in a document of 1098, by which the city received a territory as a fief from the Margravine Matilda of Canossa. In the war of the Lombard League against Frederick Barbarossa, Cremona, after having participated in the destruction of Crema in 1160 and Milan in 1162, finally joined the League. In the conflicts between the Ghibellines and the Guelfs, Cremona, sided with the Ghibellines. Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, made a triumphal procession in Cremona in 1237, showing off his elephant. This animal is known today as the "Cremona Elephant". With the final downfall of the Hohenstaufen, the Guelfs came to power in Cremona. The city rebelled against King Henry VII in 1311, but eventually surrendered; it was deprived of many rights on Henry's orders, and the city fortifications were demolished. Finally, Cremona was taken possession of by Galeazzo I Visconti in 1322. The foundation stone was laid in 1107, but 10 years later the construction collapsed due to an earthquake. It was not until 1129 that a new building was started. The cathedral was consecrated in 1190. At this time, the church did not yet have its present shape. The façade was not completed until the 15th century. The redesign of the narthex replaced a simpler wooden connection between the cathedral and the high bell tower. It gave the piazza the appearance that is roughly the same as today.

Already Theodoric the Great, King of the Ostrogoths, may have funded a church, erected over the tomb of Saint Zeno, who, following the legends, was born in Mauretania and died around 380 in Verona. The erection of the present church began in the 9th century. Soon after San Zeno´s relics were translated into the new church. At that time Charlemagne´s son Pepin (aka "Pepin of Italy") resided in Verona and a large Benedictine monastery grew all around the church. When the Magyars invaded Italy in the early 10th century, the church got severely damaged, but the relics were not harmed, as they had been taken out and were hidden. In 967, a new church was built with the patronage of Otto I. On January 3, 1117, the church was damaged by an earthquake, that ruined so many buildings in Northern Italy. The church was restored and got enlarged in 1138. It may well be, that soon after panels of a bronze door from another (destroyed?, damaged?) church were transferred to San Zeno - and so got reused here. Today the famous bronze door consists out of two panels on which the plates are fixed. The older ones (~ 1100) are often compared with the bronze works in Hildesheim, and Saxon Masters may have worked here. The younger ones (1200) are "smoother" and some scholars connect them to Benedetto Antelami, who worked in Parma 1178 ("Deposition"). Unfortunately the room is so small, that I was unable to take an "overview", so I could only take photos of panels and details. Matilda of Canossa (aka "Matilda of Tuscany"), also callled "called la Gran Contessa" was not only a powerful ruler and a supporter of Pope Gregory VII during the Investiture Controversy, she as well was a strong supporter of the Benedictian monastery to which the basilica belonged. It is said, that she is depicted here, but I did not find her. Maybe this crowned person to the right is - Matilda.

Mantua (ital. Mantova) was a settlemt on the banks of River Mincio in Etruscan times. In Roman times veteran soldiers were placed here. About 70 BC the Roman poet Virgil was born nearby. After the end of the Roman Empire Mantua was invaded in turn by Goths, Byzantines, Longobards, and Franks. In the 11th century, Mantua became a possession of Boniface of Canossa, marquis of Tuscany. During the 12th century the course of the River Mincio was altered, creating lakes, to reinforce the city's natural protection. Three of these lakes still remains today. Under the House of Gonzaga, that ruled Mantua for more than three centuries (sometimes in a very despotic way), the city developed and became a center of Renaissance art. At the end of the long war of the Mantuan Succession the city was under Austrian rule. Mantua was part of the Napoleon's Kingdom of Italy, the city returned to Austria in 1814. A revolt against the Austrians was suppressed by the Austrian army in 1855. Finally in 1866 Mantua and the Lombardy were incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy. The "Rotonda di San Lorenzo" is the oldest structure in Mantua, going back to the 11th century. This was during the reign of the Canossa family, so the building is often connected to Matilda of Canossa (aka "Matilda of Tuscany"), a powerful supporter of Pope Gregory VII during the Investiture Controversy. But actually there is no proof. The design is for sure inspired by the Holy Sepulchre church in Jerusalem. The church fell in disrepair and got deconsecrated in 1579. It was used as a storage room, dwellings and shops. About two centuries later, the church was completely forgotten but got rediscovered end of the 19th century. 1909 - 1911 the building got reconstructed. All external additions got removed, so the brickwork, typical for lombardian architecture of the 11th century, van be seen. As the roof was missing, designs from other rotundas in Northern Italy were studied - and so today the church looks perfect. The rotunda is "sunken" below the street level. A flight of stairs runs down to the entrance. The reason may be, that the church was built on the round foundations of an ancient Roman temple, dedicated to Venus.

Mantua (ital. Mantova) was a settlemt on the banks of River Mincio in Etruscan times. In Roman times veteran soldiers were placed here. About 70 BC the Roman poet Virgil was born nearby. After the end of the Roman Empire Mantua was invaded in turn by Goths, Byzantines, Longobards, and Franks. In the 11th century, Mantua became a possession of Boniface of Canossa, marquis of Tuscany. During the 12th century the course of the River Mincio was altered, creating lakes, to reinforce the city's natural protection. Three of these lakes still remains today. Under the House of Gonzaga, that ruled Mantua for more than three centuries (sometimes in a very despotic way), the city developed and became a center of Renaissance art. At the end of the long war of the Mantuan Succession the city was under Austrian rule. Mantua was part of the Napoleon's Kingdom of Italy, the city returned to Austria in 1814. A revolt against the Austrians was suppressed by the Austrian army in 1855. Finally in 1866 Mantua and the Lombardy were incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy. The "Rotonda di San Lorenzo" is the oldest structure in Mantua, going back to the 11th century. This was during the reign of the Canossa family, so the building is often connected to Matilda of Canossa (aka "Matilda of Tuscany"), a powerful supporter of Pope Gregory VII during the Investiture Controversy. But actually there is no proof. The design is for sure inspired by the Holy Sepulchre church in Jerusalem. The church fell in disrepair and got deconsecrated in 1579. It was used as a storage room, dwellings and shops. About two centuries later, the church was completely forgotten but got rediscovered end of the 19th century. 1909 - 1911 the building got reconstructed. All external additions got removed, so the brickwork, typical for lombardian architecture of the 11th century, van be seen. As the roof was missing, designs from other rotundas in Northern Italy were studied - and so today the church looks perfect. The rotunda is "sunken" below the street level. A flight of stairs runs down to the entrance. The reason may be, that the church was built on the round foundations of an ancient Roman temple, dedicated to Venus. The two pillars seen here are spolia, they are reused Roman works. Traces of frescoes can still be seen up on the walls.

Mantua (ital. Mantova) was a settlemt on the banks of River Mincio in Etruscan times. In Roman times veteran soldiers were placed here. About 70 BC the Roman poet Virgil was born nearby. After the end of the Roman Empire Mantua was invaded in turn by Goths, Byzantines, Longobards, and Franks. In the 11th century, Mantua became a possession of Boniface of Canossa, marquis of Tuscany. During the 12th century the course of the River Mincio was altered, creating lakes, to reinforce the city's natural protection. Three of these lakes still remains today. Under the House of Gonzaga, that ruled Mantua for more than three centuries (sometimes in a very despotic way), the city developed and became a center of Renaissance art. At the end of the long war of the Mantuan Succession the city was under Austrian rule. Mantua was part of the Napoleon's Kingdom of Italy, the city returned to Austria in 1814. A revolt against the Austrians was suppressed by the Austrian army in 1855. Finally in 1866 Mantua and the Lombardy were incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy. The "Rotonda di San Lorenzo" is the oldest structure in Mantua, going back to the 11th century. This was during the reign of the Canossa family, so the building is often connected to Matilda of Canossa (aka "Matilda of Tuscany"), a powerful supporter of Pope Gregory VII during the Investiture Controversy. But actually there is no proof. The design is for sure inspired by the Holy Sepulchre church in Jerusalem. The church fell in disrepair and got deconsecrated in 1579. It was used as a storage room, dwellings and shops. About two centuries later, the church was completely forgotten but got rediscovered end of the 19th century. 1909 - 1911 the building got reconstructed. All external additions got removed, so the brickwork, typical for lombardian architecture of the 11th century, van be seen. As the roof was missing, designs from other rotundas in Northern Italy were studied - and so today the church looks perfect. The rotunda is "sunken" below the street level. A flight of stairs runs down to the entrance. The reason may be, that the church was built on the round foundations of an ancient Roman temple, dedicated to Venus.

Mantua (ital. Mantova) was a settlemt on the banks of River Mincio in Etruscan times. In Roman times veteran soldiers were placed here. About 70 BC the Roman poet Virgil was born nearby. After the end of the Roman Empire Mantua was invaded in turn by Goths, Byzantines, Longobards, and Franks. In the 11th century, Mantua became a possession of Boniface of Canossa, marquis of Tuscany. During the 12th century the course of the River Mincio was altered, creating lakes, to reinforce the city's natural protection. Three of these lakes still remains today. Under the House of Gonzaga, that ruled Mantua for more than three centuries (sometimes in a very despotic way), the city developed and became a center of Renaissance art. At the end of the long war of the Mantuan Succession the city was under Austrian rule. Mantua was part of the Napoleon's Kingdom of Italy, the city returned to Austria in 1814. A revolt against the Austrians was suppressed by the Austrian army in 1855. Finally in 1866 Mantua and the Lombardy were incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy. The "Rotonda di San Lorenzo" is the oldest structure in Mantua, going back to the 11th century. This was during the reign of the Canossa family, so the building is often connected to Matilda of Canossa (aka "Matilda of Tuscany"), a powerful supporter of Pope Gregory VII during the Investiture Controversy. But actually there is no proof. The design is for sure inspired by the Holy Sepulchre church in Jerusalem. The church fell in disrepair and got deconsecrated in 1579. It was used as a storage room, dwellings and shops. About two centuries later, the church was completely forgotten but got rediscovered end of the 19th century. 1909 - 1911 the building got reconstructed. All external additions got removed, so the brickwork, typical for lombardian architecture of the 11th century, van be seen. As the roof was missing, designs from other rotundas in Northern Italy were studied - and so today the church looks perfect. Seen from this pov is, that the rotunda is "sunken" below the street level. A flight of stairs runs down to the entrance. The neighbouring "Palazzo della Ragione", only 2 centuries younger, is on the piazza´s street level. The reason may be, that the church was built on the round foundations of an ancient Roman temple, dedicated to Venus.

Mantua (ital. Mantova) was a settlemt on the banks of River Mincio in Etruscan times. In Roman times veteran soldiers were placed here. About 70 BC the Roman poet Virgil was born nearby. After the end of the Roman Empire Mantua was invaded in turn by Goths, Byzantines, Longobards, and Franks. In the 11th century, Mantua became a possession of Boniface of Canossa, marquis of Tuscany. During the 12th century the course of the River Mincio was altered, creating lakes, to reinforce the city's natural protection. Three of these lakes still remains today. Under the House of Gonzaga, that ruled Mantua for more than three centuries (sometimes in a very despotic way), the city developed and became a center of Renaissance art. At the end of the long war of the Mantuan Succession the city was under Austrian rule. Mantua was part of the Napoleon's Kingdom of Italy, the city returned to Austria in 1814. A revolt against the Austrians was suppressed by the Austrian army in 1855. Finally in 1866 Mantua and the Lombardy were incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy. A year later (see previous upload) all scaffoldings were gone.. The "Rotonda di San Lorenzo" is the oldest structure in Mantua, going back to the 11th century. This was during the reign of the Canossa family, so the building is often connected to Matilda of Canossa (aka "Matilda of Tuscany"), a powerful supporter of Pope Gregory VII during the Investiture Controversy. But actually there is no proof. The design is for sure inspired by the Holy Sepulchre church in Jerusalem. The church fell in disrepair and got deconsecrated in 1579. The building was used storage room, as well for dwellings and shops. About two centuries later, the church was completely forgotten but it got rediscovered end of the 19th century. 1909 - 1911 the building got reconstructed. All external additions got removed. As the roof was missing, designs from other rotundas in Northern Italy were studied - and so today the church looks perfect.