Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Gregory IX

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,

A legend tells, that this was the site of a miracle. When an (heretical) Arian Lombard bishop hold a mass here, he was struck with sudden blindness. A Benedictian nunnery existed already within the 10th century, while the church of today was erected around 1230 and consecrated by Pope Gregory IX. I had learned, that there were 13th-century-frescoes inside, but San Paolo inter vineas (= among the vineyards) was locked.

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. This "Cattedrale di San Rufino" of today is the third church on this spot. They had been built over the tomb of Saint Rufinus, Bishop of Assisi, martyred in the 3rd century. The construction of the cathedral was started in 1134. When in 1228 Pope Gregory IX was in Assisi for the canonization of Saint Francis, he consecrated the high altar of the cathedral, that was finally completed in 1253. Of course during the long time of construction, the church was in use already. Saint Francis was baptized here in 1182, Saint Clare in 1193. The Romanesque façade of the Assisi-Cathedral is one of the richest in Umbria. The left side portal is similar to the right one. Here are two lions drinking from a chalice on the tympanum (not two peacocks). Here is as well an Agnus Dei - and a bunch of mythical animals.

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. This "Cattedrale di San Rufino" of today is the third church on this spot. They had been built over the tomb of Saint Rufinus, Bishop of Assisi, martyred in the 3rd century. The construction of the cathedral was started in 1134. When in 1228 Pope Gregory IX was in Assisi for the canonization of Saint Francis, he consecrated the high altar of the cathedral, that was finally completed in 1253. Of course during the long time of construction, the church was in use already. Saint Francis was baptized here in 1182, Saint Clare in 1193. The Romanesque façade of the Assisi-Cathedral is one of the richest in Umbria. The right side portal. There are two peacocks drinking from a chalice on the tympanum. Below on the lintel is an Agnus Dei flanked by the symbols of the four Evangelists.

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. This "Cattedrale di San Rufino" of today is the third church on this spot. They had been built over the tomb of Saint Rufinus, Bishop of Assisi, martyred in the 3rd century. The construction of the cathedral was started in 1134. When in 1228 Pope Gregory IX was in Assisi for the canonization of Saint Francis, he consecrated the high altar of the cathedral, that was finally completed in 1253. Of course during the long time of construction, the church was in use already. Saint Francis was baptized here in 1182, Saint Clare in 1193. The Romanesque façade of the Assisi-Cathedral is one of the richest in Umbria. Crowned King David (?), holding a harp, was partly seen already on the previous upload. It looks like the small (dancing?) figure right of the throne holds a kind of tambourine. The figure is masterly carved in a very intricate, detailed way.

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. This "Cattedrale di San Rufino" of today is the third church on this spot. They had been built over the tomb of Saint Rufinus, Bishop of Assisi, martyred in the 3rd century. The construction of the cathedral was started in 1134. When in 1228 Pope Gregory IX was in Assisi for the canonization of Saint Francis, he consecrated the high altar of the cathedral, that was finally completed in 1253. Of course during the long time of construction, the church was in use already. Saint Francis was baptized here in 1182, Saint Clare in 1193. The Romanesque façade of the Assisi-Cathedral is one of the richest in Umbria. A detailed view on to left side of the tympanum´s inner archivolt. Two men harvest grapes, below them are a pig (no boar) and a bird. To the left a cleric (?l) stands under an arch - and to the right two men hold a large vessel.

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. This "Cattedrale di San Rufino" of today is the third church on this spot. They had been built over the tomb of Saint Rufinus, Bishop of Assisi, martyred in the 3rd century. The construction of the cathedral was started in 1134. When in 1228 Pope Gregory IX was in Assisi for the canonization of Saint Francis, he consecrated the high altar of the cathedral, that was finally completed in 1253. Of course during the long time of construction, the church was in use already. Saint Francis was baptized here in 1182, Saint Clare in 1193. The Romanesque façade of the Assisi-Cathedral is one of the richest in Umbria. A more detailed view on to the tympanum´s center. A "Majestas Domini". The "Pantokrator" is crowned and flanked by sun and moon. I do not know, who is the person to the right (Joseph?). To the left is a crowned (!) Virgin - "lactans". I cannot remember having ever seen a "Nursing Madonna" (aka "Madonna Lactans", "Maria lactans") on a tympanum before. These icons were popular from the 14th century on. I do not know, why the icon is tilt. The inner archivolt has some nice "real life" scenes.

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. This "Cattedrale di San Rufino" of today is the third church on this spot. They had been built over the tomb of Saint Rufinus, Bishop of Assisi, martyred in the 3rd century. The construction of the cathedral was started in 1134. When in 1228 Pope Gregory IX was in Assisi for the canonization of Saint Francis, he consecrated the high altar of the cathedral, that was finally completed in 1253. Of course during the long time of construction, the church was in use already. Saint Francis was baptized here in 1182, Saint Clare in 1193. The Romanesque façade of the Assisi-Cathedral is one of the richest in Umbria. The tympanum of the the central portal - and the elaborate archivolts. The reddish, semicircular center is somehow shifted.

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. This "Cattedrale di San Rufino" of today is the third church on this spot. They had been built over the tomb of Saint Rufinus, Bishop of Assisi, martyred in the 3rd century. The construction of the cathedral was started in 1134. When in 1228 Pope Gregory IX was in Assisi for the canonization of Saint Francis, he consecrated the high altar of the cathedral, that was finally completed in 1253. Of course during the long time of construction, the church was in use already. Saint Francis was baptized here in 1182, Saint Clare in 1193. The Romanesque façade of the Assisi-Cathedral is one of the richest in Umbria. This is the central portal. I´ll upload some details of this elaborate Romanesque work next.

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. This "Cattedrale di San Rufino" of today is the third church on this spot. They had been built over the tomb of Saint Rufinus, Bishop of Assisi, martyred in the 3rd century. The construction of the cathedral was started in 1134. When in 1228 Pope Gregory IX was in Assisi for the canonization of Saint Francis, he consecrated the high altar of the cathedral, that was finally completed in 1253. Of course during the long time of construction, the church was in use already. Saint Francis was baptized here in 1182, Saint Clare in 1193. The Romanesque façade of the Assisi-Cathedral is one of the richest in Umbria.