Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Francis of Assisi

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. Founded by the Etruscans, the city has been an urban center for centuries, first under the Etruscans, then under the Celts, then under the Romans, and again in the Middle Ages. In 728 Bologna was conquered by the Longobard king Liutprand and thus became part of the Longobard Empire. In the 11th century the place grew again as a free commune. In 1088 the university was founded, today the oldest university in Europe. As the city continued to expand, it received a new ring of ramparts in the 12th century, and another was completed in the 14th century. In 1164 Bologna joined the Lombard League against Frederick I Barbarossa, and in 1256 the city promulgated the "Legge del Paradiso", which abolished serfdom and slavery and freed the remaining slaves with public money. The city center was a forest of towers. It is estimated that around 100 family towers of the leading families, church towers and towers of public buildings defined the cityscape. In 1272, King Enzio of Sardinia, an illegitimate son of the Hohenstaufen Emperor Frederick II, died in Bologna after more than 22 years of imprisonment. The Franciscans had occupied a modest house in Bologna, called Santa Maria delle Pugliole, founded in 1211 by Bernard of Quintavalle, one of the first members of the Order. In 1122 Francis of Assisi visited the city to preach. This sparked a great interest in the Order. At the urging of Pope Gregory IX, the authorities of the commune gave the property on which the basilica is now built to the friars in 1236 for a church of their own. Construction was begun and sufficiently complete by 1251 that it was consecrated by Pope Innocent IV. The main structure was finally completed in 1263. During the occupation of Italy by the French Revolutionary Army, in 1796 the church was desecrated and the friary was seized and used as a barracks. The church was restored to religious use in 1842, but was later seized again in the course of the Second Italian War of Independence and used as a military storehouse. It was finally returned to the Franciscans in 1886. The restoration of the church to its original aspect was completed in 1919. Seen here from a distance in pouring rain,

Bari was an early settlement and passed under Roman rule in the 3rd century BC. It developed strategic significance as the point of junction between the coast road and the Via Traiana and as a port for eastward trade. The first bishop of Bari was Gervasius who is known from the Council of Sardica in 347. After the decline of the Roman Empire, the town was devasted and taken by Alaric´s Visigothic troops, then was under Lombardian rule, before the Byzantines took over. In 755 it was conquered by Pepin the Short (Charlemagne´s father) and from 847 on it was an Islamic Emirate. The Byzantine fleet returned in 871 and since 885 Bari ws the residence of the local Byzantine governor. Following a three-year siege, Bari was captured by Robert Guiscard in 1071. After the relics of Saint Nicholas, which were surreptitiously brought from Myra in Lycia (Byzantine territory), arrived in Bari, the Basilica di San Nicola was founded in 1087. This attracted pilgrims, whose encouragement and care became central to the economy of Bari. Pope Urban II consecrated the Basilica in 1089. In 1096 a crusader army embarked in the port of Bari for the First Crusade. After the murder of archbishop Griso in 1117 a civil war broke our and the control was seized by Grimoald Alferanites, a native Lombard, in opposition to the Normans. He later did homage to Roger II of Sicily, but rebelled and was defeated in 1132. The Castello Normanno-Svevo (aka "Castello di Bari") was probably built around 1132 by Norman King Roger II. When in 1155 the Baresi rebelled against the Normans, the castle got destroyed, so as a retaliatory action, William I of Sicily (aka William the Wicked") had the city destroyed except for the cathedral and the Basilica of St. Nicola. Bari recovered and had its heydays under Emperor Frederick II., who rebuilt and reinforced the castle. According to the tradition, in 1221 Emperor Frederick II met St. Francis of Assisi in this castle. During the Angevin domination, it went through several transformations, and after being acquired by Duke Ferdinand of Aragon, was donated to the Sforza family and passed to Bona Sforza, Queen of Poland. After Bona's death, it was returned under the King of Naples and transformed into a prison and barracks.

Bari was an early settlement and passed under Roman rule in the 3rd century BC. It developed strategic significance as the point of junction between the coast road and the Via Traiana and as a port for eastward trade. The first bishop of Bari was Gervasius who is known from the Council of Sardica in 347. After the decline of the Roman Empire, the town was devasted and taken by Alaric´s Visigothic troops, then was under Lombardian rule, before the Byzantines took over. In 755 it was conquered by Pepin the Short (Charlemagne´s father) and from 847 on it was an Islamic Emirate. The Byzantine fleet returned in 871 and since 885 Bari ws the residence of the local Byzantine governor. Following a three-year siege, Bari was captured by Robert Guiscard in 1071. After the relics of Saint Nicholas, which were surreptitiously brought from Myra in Lycia (Byzantine territory), arrived in Bari, the Basilica di San Nicola was founded in 1087. This attracted pilgrims, whose encouragement and care became central to the economy of Bari. Pope Urban II consecrated the Basilica in 1089. In 1096 a crusader army embarked in the port of Bari for the First Crusade. After the murder of archbishop Griso in 1117 a civil war broke our and the control was seized by Grimoald Alferanites, a native Lombard, in opposition to the Normans. He later did homage to Roger II of Sicily, but rebelled and was defeated in 1132. The Castello Normanno-Svevo (aka "Castello di Bari") was probably built around 1132 by Norman King Roger II. When in 1155 the Baresi rebelled against the Normans, the castle got destroyed, so as a retaliatory action, William I of Sicily (aka William the Wicked") had the city destroyed except for the cathedral and the Basilica of St. Nicola. Bari recovered and had its heydays under Emperor Frederick II., who rebuilt and reinforced the castle. According to the tradition, in 1221 Emperor Frederick II met St. Francis of Assisi in this castle. During the Angevin domination, it went through several transformations, and after being acquired by Duke Ferdinand of Aragon, was donated to the Sforza family and passed to Bona Sforza, Queen of Poland. After Bona's death, it was returned under the King of Naples and transformed into a prison and barracks.

Bari was an early settlement and passed under Roman rule in the 3rd century BC. It developed strategic significance as the point of junction between the coast road and the Via Traiana and as a port for eastward trade. The first bishop of Bari was Gervasius who is known from the Council of Sardica in 347. After the decline of the Roman Empire, the town was devasted and taken by Alaric´s Visigothic troops, then was under Lombardian rule, before the Byzantines took over. In 755 it was conquered by Pepin the Short (Charlemagne´s father) and from 847 on it was an Islamic Emirate. The Byzantine fleet returned in 871 and since 885 Bari ws the residence of the local Byzantine governor. Following a three-year siege, Bari was captured by Robert Guiscard in 1071. After the relics of Saint Nicholas, which were surreptitiously brought from Myra in Lycia (Byzantine territory), arrived in Bari, the Basilica di San Nicola was founded in 1087. This attracted pilgrims, whose encouragement and care became central to the economy of Bari. Pope Urban II consecrated the Basilica in 1089. In 1096 a crusader army embarked in the port of Bari for the First Crusade. After the murder of archbishop Griso in 1117 a civil war broke our and the control was seized by Grimoald Alferanites, a native Lombard, in opposition to the Normans. He later did homage to Roger II of Sicily, but rebelled and was defeated in 1132. The Castello Normanno-Svevo (aka "Castello di Bari") was probably built around 1132 by Norman King Roger II. When in 1155 the Baresi rebelled against the Normans, the castle got destroyed, so as a retaliatory action, William I of Sicily (aka William the Wicked") had the city destroyed except for the cathedral and the Basilica of St. Nicola. Bari recovered and had its heydays under Emperor Frederick II., who rebuilt and reinforced the castle. According to the tradition, in 1221 Emperor Frederick II met St. Francis of Assisi in this castle. During the Angevin domination, it went through several transformations, and after being acquired by Duke Ferdinand of Aragon, was donated to the Sforza family and passed to Bona Sforza, Queen of Poland. After Bona's death, it was returned under the King of Naples and transformed into a prison and barracks.

The church was built in "Lombard Gothic" style for the Friars Minor order between 1278 and 1363, founded in 1209 by Francis of Assisi. Later the church and the adjoining monastery were used by a convent for nuns of the Clarissan order, founded by Saint Clare of Assisi, one of the first followers of Francis. The church was locked, so I could not see the frescoes inside. The rain continued.

Already Bishop Neon had a church built here in the 5th century, but the church got largely rebuilt around 1000. Neon´s tomb was discovered under the floor of the choir in the 19th century. Archbishop Fontana gave the basilica to the Franciscans (= "Order of Friars Minor") in 1261. The monks then dedicated the church to San Francesco (aka "Francesco d'Assisi", "Francis of Assisi"), who had founded the order just about 50 years earlier. The interior of the basilica got significantly altered during the 17th and 18th century. During the excavations end of the 19th century, the crypt of the first church was found and unearthed. It still has original mosaic floor. As the church was erected in soft ground, the crypt was sunken into the ground and got overbuilt arounnd 1000. Today it is under the groundwater level and small goldfish populate the crypt and float over the mosaics.

Already Bishop Neon had a church built here in the 5th century, but the church got largely rebuilt around 1000. Neon´s tomb was discovered under the floor of the choir in the 19th century. Archbishop Fontana gave the basilica to the Franciscans (= "Order of Friars Minor") in 1261. The monks then dedicated the church to San Francesco (aka "Francesco d'Assisi", "Francis of Assisi"), who had founded the order just about 50 years earlier. The interior of the basilica got significantly altered during the 17th and 18th century. During the excavations end of the 19th century, the crypt of the first church was found and unearthed. It still has original mosaic floor. As the church was erected in soft ground, the crypt was sunken into the ground and got overbuilt arounnd 1000. Today it is under the groundwater level.

Already Bishop Neon had a church built here in the 5th century, but the church got largely rebuilt around 1000. Neon´s tomb was discovered under the floor of the choir in the 19th century. Archbishop Fontana gave the basilica to the Franciscans (= "Order of Friars Minor") in 1261. The monks then dedicated the church to San Francesco (aka "Francesco d'Assisi", "Francis of Assisi"), who had founded the order just about 50 years earlier. The interior of the basilica got significantly altered during the 17th and 18th century. After Dante Alighieri had died in Ravenna in 1318, he was buried in this church. Later Florence, where he was born, claimed Dante´s bones and finally in 1519 Pope Leo X authorized the transfer. But the Franciscans stole the bones - and hid them for centuries. They were rediscovered by chance in 1865 - and since then are kept in "Tomba di Dante" just around the corner of this church.

Already Bishop Neon had a church built here in the 5th century, but this church got largely rebuilt around 1000. After Archbishop Fontana gave the basilica to the Franciscans (= "Order of Friars Minor") in 1261, the monks dedicated the church to San Francesco (aka "Francesco d'Assisi", "Francis of Assisi"), who had founded the order just about 50 years earlier.

Already Bishop Neon had a church built here in the 5th century, but this church got rebuilt around 1000. After Archbishop Fontana gave this church to the Franciscans (= "Order of Friars Minor") in 1261, the monks dedicated the church to San Francesco (aka "Francesco d'Assisi", "Francis of Assisi"), who had founded the order just about 50 years earlier. These Franciscans built this nice cloister, next to the church.

The Gothic Basilica of San Lucchese was erected on the remains of a pre-existing church. When around 1215 Francis of Assisi visited Poggibonsi the preceding church and two houses nearby were given to him and his friars. At that time he met with Luchesius Modestini (aka "San Luchese"), who along with his wife, Buonadonna de' Segni, became the first members of the Franciscan Order of Penance (= "Third Order of St. Francis"). The pious couple live here and died together on 1260. As soon after many miracles happened near their relics, a pilgrimage developed - and the couple got beatified and canonized. Today Saint Lucchese is the patron saint of Poggibonsi. The monks used this cloister upto upto 1810, when, under Napoleonic rule, the monastery was suppressed and the monks were expelled.

The large Gothic Basilica of San Lucchese was erected on the remains of a pre-existing church. When around 1215 Francis of Assisi visited Poggibonsi the preceding church and two houses nearby were given to him and his friars. At that time he met with Luchesius Modestini (aka "San Luchese"), who along with his wife, Buonadonna de' Segni, became the first members of the Franciscan Order of Penance (= "Third Order of St. Francis"). The pious couple live here and died together on 1260. As soon after many miracles happened near their relics, a pilgrimage developed - and the couple got beatified and canonized. Today Saint Lucchese is the patron saint of Poggibonsi. The convent existed here upto 1810, when, under Napoleonioc rule, the monastery was suppressed and all monks were expelled.

The large Gothic Basilica of San Lucchese was erected on the remains of a pre-existing church. When around 1215 Francis of Assisi visited Poggibonsi the preceding church and two houses nearby were given to him and his friars. At that time he met with Luchesius Modestini (aka "San Luchese"), who along with his wife, Buonadonna de' Segni, became the first members of the Franciscan Order of Penance (= "Third Order of St. Francis"). The pious couple live here and died together on 1260. As soon after many miracles happened near their relics, a pilgrimage developed - and the couple got beatified and canonized. The convent existed here upto 1810, when, under Napoleonic rule, the monastery was suppressed and all monks were expelled.

Assisi is located on a steep slope (accessible via escalators) and a site of many a pilgrimage. Even in winter it can be very crowded - and a day before, we had to turn back, as all parking lots in the valley below were full. A day later, in heavy rain, we tried it again - and were in luck. The erection of the "Basilica di San Francesco" begun in 1228. It comprises two churches known as the "Upper Church" and the "Lower Church". Below that is the crypt with the tomb of Saint Francis of Assisi. This is where all tourists and pilgrims meet together. Even the cloister was crowded.

Assisi is located on a steep slope (accessible via escalators) and a site of many a pilgrimage. Even in winter it can be very crowded - and a day before, we had to turn back, as all parking lots in the valley below were full. A day later, in heavy rain, we tried it again - and were in luck. The erection of the "Basilica di San Francesco" begun in 1228. It comprises two churches known as the "Upper Church" and the "Lower Church". Below that is the crypt with the tomb of Saint Francis of Assisi. This is where all tourists and pilgrims meet together. It was just too crowded to take photos.

A settlement existed here already in Bronze age, pre-Roman times the Umbrian people had a town here, named Ikuvium. After the Roman conquest the town gained importance. The Roman theatre here is the second-largest surviving in the world. Gubbio became very powerful in the Middle Ages, when Gubbio sent 1000 knights to fight in the First Crusade. Later the city was engaged in wars against the surrounding towns of Umbria. San Francesco is located in the lower town of Gubbio. The Gothic style church was built by 1256. St. Francis of Assisi, who was closely associated with Gubbio, supposedly was once housed in a room adjacent to the church. San Francesco may be work of Benedictian monk Fra Bevignate, who engineered the aqueduct supplying water to the Fontana Maggiore in Perugia. Ottaviano Nelli created the frescoes of the left apse 1410-1415. "Mary in childbed", the two midwives prepare Jesus´ "First Bath".

A settlement existed here already in Bronze age, pre-Roman times the Umbrian people had a town here, named Ikuvium. After the Roman conquest the town gained importance. The Roman theatre here is the second-largest surviving in the world. Gubbio became very powerful in the Middle Ages, when Gubbio sent 1000 knights to fight in the First Crusade. Later the city was engaged in wars against the surrounding towns of Umbria. San Francesco is located in the lower town of Gubbio. The Gothic style church was built by 1256. St. Francis of Assisi, who was closely associated with Gubbio, supposedly was once housed in a room adjacent to the church. San Francesco may be work of Benedictian monk Fra Bevignate, who engineered the aqueduct supplying water to the Fontana Maggiore in Perugia.

A settlement existed here already in Bronze age, pre-Roman times the Umbrian people had a town here, named Ikuvium. After the Roman conquest the town gained importance. The Roman theatre here is the second-largest surviving in the world. Gubbio became very powerful in the Middle Ages, when Gubbio sent 1000 knights to fight in the First Crusade. Later the city was engaged in wars against the surrounding towns of Umbria. San Francesco is located in the lower town of Gubbio. The Gothic style church was built by 1256. The present octagonal bell tower was added in the 14th century. St. Francis of Assisi, who was closely associated with Gubbio, supposedly was once housed in a room adjacent to the church. San Francesco may be work of Benedictian monk Fra Bevignate, who engineered the aqueduct supplying water to the Fontana Maggiore in Perugia.