Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Washing of the Feet

Due to its location and importance, Benevento was an important base for Roman rule in southern Italy for centuries. After the expansion of the Lombards, Benevento became the seat of Lombard dukes but repeatedly fell into dependence on the Franks and the German emperors. In 840, Benevento was occupied by the Muslims for a few years. The city has been the seat of the Archbishopric of Benevento since 969. In 1047 it fell into the hands of Norman princes with the exception of the city, which Emperor Henry III gave to Leo IX in 1053. In the 11th and 12th centuries, four councils were held in Benevento. On February 26, 1266, in the Battle of Benevento, the Hohenstaufen Manfred, natural son of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, was defeated by Charles of Anjou, after which the latter seized Apulia, Sicily, and Tuscia. The Duomo di Benevento Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishops of Benevento. It dates back to the Longobard foundation of the Duchy of Benevento in the late 8th century, but was largely rebuilt in the 1960s after being destroyed by Allied bombing during World War II. The massive bell tower was built beginning in 1279, as an inscription on the east facade attests. It remained largely undamaged during the bombings. Benevento Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishops of Benevento. It dates back to the Longobard foundation of the Duchy of Benevento in the late 8th century, but was largely rebuilt in the 1960s after being destroyed by Allied bombing during World War II. The medieval bronze door, created around 1200, was found in fragments in the rubble of the church after the bombings of 1944. However, it could be reconstructed almost completely. The content of the door consists of two parts. The upper two-thirds is filled with a relief cycle on the life of Jesus. The lower third consists of individual figures. The life of Jesus is depicted in 43 scenes, from the Annunciation to the Ascension. Ursula Mende, author of "The Bronze Doors of the Middle Ages" sees strong parallels with the mosaics in the Cathedral of Monreale and ivory works from Byzantium of the 11th century. The finely crafted figures look almost plastic against the background. Top - from right to left The raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-44), the healing of a paralytic (Luke 5:17-26), the Last Supper, the Washing of the Feet (John 13:14–17) Bottom - from right to left Jesus before Pilate (John 18:28), Judas betrays Jesus (Mathew 26:14), Judas hangs himself (Mathew 27:5), the denial of Peter (John 18:15–27)

In 831 an "ecclesia plebeia" is mentioned here, dedicated to Saint Martin. Excavations proved, that earlier churches did exist on the same spot from about 500 on. The church of today was erected in the early 12th century. St. Martin is world famous for the painted ceiling inside, created by an unknown artist around 1109 to 1114. It is still almost complete. Only very few of these works have survived the times in Europe. The only such ceiling I have ever seen is in St. Michael, Hildesheim, Germany. The ceiling here consists of 153 square panels (9 rows of 17 panels) of about 90 cm sides. They were painted upright and then inserted into the ceiling. Actually the painting reads like a map. There is a kind of frame, as the 48 panels outer panels (apart from the corner fields) show scenes on water - an ocean. The corners have angels, that may symbolize the four winds (directions). The "inner" 105 panels depict scenes on "land". Here themes are the life of Jesus - and Saint Martin, whom the church is devoted to. The "Entry of Christ into Jerusalem" (= "Palm Sunday"). Judas Iscariot and the thirty pieces of silver? Is Jesus discussing with Judas? On the right the "Washing of the Feet".

In the center of Modena, where the Duomo di Modena (aka "Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta e San Geminiano") is placed, churches have existed since the 5th century. After the burial site of Modena's patron Saint Geminianus, a former bishop (+397), was dicovered here, the existing cathedral seemed to small. The first stone laying for the cathedral of today took place in May 1099, strongly supported by Matilde di Canossa (aka "Matilda of Tuscany"). First architect was Master Lanfranco, descibed as "maestro ingenio clarus [...] doctus et aptus". The Duomo di Modena was consecrated in 1184, but the building process continued. It was finally completed in 1322. The interior of the Duomo is divided into one nave and two aisles, the interior length is 63 metres. The presbyterium is risen, below is a crypt. Between the central nave and the presbyterium/crypt is a large structure with a marble parapet. It was created by Anselmo da Campione portraying the Passion of Christ, starting (fltr) with the "Washing of the Feet", the "Last Supper", the "Arrest of Jesus"/the Betrayal, "Pilate's court", the Flagellation and Christ "Carrying the Cross". Anselmo da Campione, who came (like Lanfranco) from the area near the Lake Como, worked here with his workshop. These experienced specialists, known as "Maestri Campionesi" worked here over many decades. One of them was Anselmo´s grandson Arrigo da Campione.

In the center of Modena, where the Duomo di Modena (aka "Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta e San Geminiano") is placed, churches have existed since the 5th century. After the burial site of Modena's patron Saint Geminianus, a former bishop (+397), was dicovered here, the existing cathedral seemed to small. The first stone laying for the cathedral of today took place in May 1099, strongly supported by Matilde di Canossa (aka "Matilda of Tuscany"). First architect was Master Lanfranco, descibed as "maestro ingenio clarus [...] doctus et aptus". The Duomo di Modena was consecrated in 1184, but the building process continued. It was finally completed in 1322. The interior of the Duomo is divided into one nave and two aisles, the interior length is 63 metres. The presbyterium is risen, below is a crypt. Between the central nave and the presbyterium/crypt is a large structure with a marble parapet. It was created by Anselmo da Campione portraying the Passion of Christ, including the Last Supper in the center and a pulpit (seen here) on the left side. Here are the symbols of the evangelists. Seen to the right is the "Washing of the Feet" John 13:5 "After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded." Anselmo da Campione, who came (like Lanfranco) from the area near the Lake Como, worked here with his workshop. These experienced specialists, known as "Maestri Campionesi" worked here over many decades. One of them was Anselmo´s grandson Arrigo da Campione.

The site was once a (probably Roman) cemetery. A church, dedicated to St. Peter existed here already within the 5th century. This was erected by the local Bishop Achilleo, to house the chains that supposedly once had bound St. Peter. The chains are meanwhile back in Rome and can be seen in San Pietro in Vincoli. "Extra moenia" means, that the church was outside the city walls (= extra muros). The present church was built between the 12th and 13th centuries. It was severely damaged by the Ghibellines in 1329, but was rebuilt in the following decades. The interior was transformed at the end of the seventeenth century - and so by now is Baroque. The facade, decorated with all kinds of reliefs, still is in a good condition. Here are two biblical scenes: "Washing of the Feet" John 13:14-17 "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them." "Jesus Walks on the Sea" John 6:16-20 "Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them. Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But He said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid.""

The parish church of Bellenaves, dedicated to Saint Martin, was a part of priory, when it was built in the second half of the 12th century. The triangular tympanum seems to have been carved for another place, but it has been here since early times. Christ in the mandorla, two angels holding it. Christ seats on a piece of architecture, arcades can be seen. This is typical for the Burgundian style, often seen about 100 kms northeast. But the details, carved perfectly in the Brionnais, lack that certain elegance here. The lintel depicts the "Last Supper" - and to the very right the "Washing of the Feet".