Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Bishop Hildebrand

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. The interior is a very large hall and a rectangular apse. To take photographs is - unfortunately - strictly forbidden. It only took the guard two minutes to give me a severe warning and tell me, that he would lock the doors within a couple of minutes. So the very few photos I could take - are very blurry. The pulpit is a masterpiece created by Guglielmo Agnelli (aka "Fra Guglielmo") around 1270. Here is a detail. Below "Annunciation" and "Visitation" is a complex Nativity scene. In the center Mary and and infant Jesus, the Magi are approaching from the left, shepherds have gathered to the right. Joseph sits between the sheep. On the left the midwives prepare the "First Bath".

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. The interior is a very large hall and a rectangular apse. To take photographs is - unfortunately - strictly forbidden. It only took the guard two minutes to give me a severe warning and tell me, that he would lock the doors within a couple of minutes. So the very few photos I could take - are very blurry. The pulpit is a masterpiece created by Guglielmo Agnelli (aka "Fra Guglielmo") around 1270.

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. The interior is a very large hall and a rectangular apse. To take photographs is - unfortunately - strictly forbidden. It only took the guard to minutes to give me a severe warning and tell me, that he would lock the doors within a couple of minutes. So the very few photos I could take - are very blurry. To he left is a ceramic glaze sculpture depicting the "Visitation", by Luca della Robbia from the mid 15th century. The holy water font in the middle is attributed to Giovanni Pisano. The pulpit to the right is a work of Guglielmo Agnelli (aka "Fra Guglielmo"), a disciple of Nicola Pisano.

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