Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Gruamons

San Giovanni Fuorcivitas was built outside the sity walls (= Fuorcivitas) during Lombard times. In 1119 Bishop Hildebrand of Pistoia notes down, that the church is "nearly in ruins", so soon after the building process started for the church seen here. The works were finally completed in 1344, when the church got enlarged by two bays. It may be, that Gruamonte was the first architect here. He may have created the green/white pattern of the wall, typical of other buildings in Pistoia and probably inspired by the buildings in Pisa. He surely created the lintel and the archivolt seen here. The "Last Supper" Compared to the lintel of Sant'Andrea (see previous uploads) depicting the Magi, the style seems very "stiff", like an old fashioned group picture. It may be, that the "swinging" style goes back to Gruamonte´s brother Adeotus, with whom he cooperated at Sant'Andrea.. The carving is similar to that one found in 1939 inside the cathedrale (see previous uplaod). There is even as well Judas on the ground - and above - there is exactly the same (here weathered) inscription. "CENANS DISCIPULIS CHRISTUS DAT VERBA SAL[VANS CENA NO]VA TRIBUIT LEGE VETEREM QUOQUE FINIT" Above is the signature. Follow the white arch stones: GRU AM ONS MAG ISTER BON USFE C(IT)HO COP US

San Giovanni Fuorcivitas was built outside the sity walls (= Fuorcivitas) during Lombard times. In 1119 Bishop Hildebrand of Pistoia notes down, that the church is "nearly in ruins", so soon after the building process started for the church seen here. The works were finally completed in 1344, when the church got enlarged by two bays. It may be, that Gruamonte was the first architect here. He may have created the green/white pattern of the wall, typical of other buildings in Pistoia and probably inspired by the buildings in Pisa. A young couple waiting to meet friends in front of San Giovanni´s main portal.

San Giovanni Fuorcivitas was built outside the sity walls (= Fuorcivitas) during Lombard times. In 1119 Bishop Hildebrand of Pistoia notes down, that the church is "nearly in ruins", so soon after the building process started for the church seen here. The works were finally completed in 1344, when the church got enlarged by two bays. It may be, that Gruamonte was the first architect here. He may have created the green/white pattern of the wall, typical of other buildings in Pistoia and probably inspired by the buildings in Pisa. I knew from the city map, that there was a cloister behind the church, but I could not find any entry. Finally a door stood open and I could peep into the former cloister. Obviously it is now privately used.

San Giovanni Fuorcivitas was built outside the sity walls (= Fuorcivitas) during Lombard times. In 1119 Bishop Hildebrand of Pistoia notes down, that the church is "nearly in ruins", so soon after the building process started for the church seen here. The works were finally completed in 1344, when the church got enlarged by two bays. It may be, that Gruamonte was the first architect here. He may have created the green/white pattern of the wall, typical of other buildings in Pistoia and probably inspired by the buildings in Pisa. There is an inscription "GRUAMONS MAGISTER BONUS FEC(IT) HOC OPUS" ~ Gruamons the good master created this work

The Pistoia Cathedral (aka "Cattedrale di San Zeno") is located just opposite the octagonal baptistery. The cathedral dates back to the 10th century, but in 1108 it was severly damaged by a fire and had to be rebuilt. In 1145 an altar was dedicated here to Saint James the Great (aka St. Jaques) by Bishop Saint Atto, who had brought a relic to Pistoia from Santiago de Compostella. In 1202 another fire damaged the cathedral again. In 1274-1275 the aisles were covered with vaults, but further damage was caused by an earthquake in 1298. In 1939 during the restoration two reliefs were discovered. They had been used (sculpted side down) as paving tiles. Since then many theories were discussed about the origine. Most likely they have been parts of a medieval pulpit. Some scholars claimed already before these reliefs were discovered, that a pulpit created by Guido da Como 1199, existed in the cathedral upto the 15th century. Then it vanished without a trace... More recently the reliefs were attributed to the workshops of Guglielmo (Pisa Cathedral) or his follower Gruamons (with Adeodatus and Enrigus) who worked at nearby Sant'Andrea. Here is the "Last Supper" and the "Betrayal of Jesus" The top line of the inscription over the Last Supper is not visible from here (sorry). The "complete inscription reads "CENANS DISCIPULIS XRISTVS DAT VERBA SALVA(N)S / CENA NOVA TRIBVIT LEGE(M) UETERE(M) QVOQ(UE) FINIT" ~ During the Supper Christ says to the Disciples redemptive words / The Last Supper he acknowledges the old law and puts them to an end. The inscription over the "Betrayal of Jesus" reads "FUSTIB(US) ET GLADIIS IUDA XR(ISTU)M PRENDERE QV(A)ERIT" ~ With sticks and swords Judas tries to capture Jesus

The Pistoia Cathedral (aka "Cattedrale di San Zeno") is located just opposite the octagonal baptistery. The cathedral dates back to the 10th century, but in 1108 it was severly damaged by a fire and had to be rebuilt. In 1145 an altar was dedicated here to Saint James the Great (aka St. Jaques) by Bishop Saint Atto, who had brought a relic to Pistoia from Santiago de Compostella. In 1202 another fire damaged the cathedral again. In 1274-1275 the aisles were covered with vaults, but further damage was caused by an earthquake in 1298. In 1939 during the restoration these two reliefs were discovered. They had been used (sculpted side down) as paving tiles. Since then many theories were discussed about the origine. Most likely they have been parts of a medieval pulpit. Some scholars claimed already before these reliefs were discovered, that a pulpit created by Guido da Como 1199, existed in the cathedral upto the 15th century. Then it vanished without a trace... More recently the reliefs were attributed to the workshops of Guglielmo (Pisa Cathedral) or his follower Gruamons (with Adeodatus and Enrigus) who worked at nearby Sant'Andrea. Here is the "Visitation" (Luke 1:39–56) Mary visits Elisabeth and her husband Zacharias. The inscription reads: "INFANS EXULTAT STERILEM DVM VIRGO SALVTAT" (~ The child exultant, when Mary greets the infertil) Elisabeth and Zacharias were childless (and old) - then an angel told Zacharias Luke 1:13–15 "But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born." The son later became known under the name "John the Baptist".