Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Bisceglie

Like all places along the Adriatic coast, Bisceglie has Greek and Roman roots, but after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the area was not really "developed". First small monasteries were founded, when the Lombards ruled the area before the Saracens took over for three decades in the 9th century. Around 1000 the Normans arrived in Southern Italy. A vassal of Robert Guiscard became Count of Trani in 1042. At that time the fortification of the place, that is Bisceglie now, started. Today Bisceglie has a population of more than 50.000 and a nice little coin laundry.

Like all places along the Adriatic coast, Bisceglie has Greek and Roman roots, but after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the area was not really "developed". First small monasteries were founded, when the Lombards ruled the area before the Saracens took over for three decades in the 9th century. Around 1000 the Normans arrived in Southern Italy. A vassal of Robert Guiscard became Count of Trani in 1042. At that time the fortification of the place, that is Bisceglie now, started. In 1197 the small Chiesa di Santa Margherita was built outside the city walls in 1197 by the noble family of Falconi. Over the centuries the town grew around the church so that by now, the building is squeezed among the surrounding houses. Unfortunately, the church was locked.

Like all places along the Adriatic coast, Bisceglie has Greek and Roman roots, but after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the area was not really "developed". First small monasteries were founded, when the Lombards ruled the area before the Saracens took over for three decades in the 9th century. Around 1000 the Normans arrived in Southern Italy. A vassal of Robert Guiscard became Count of Trani in 1042. At that time the fortification of the place, that is Bisceglie now, started. Life in the old towns of Southern Italy is pretty public, the streets are narrow, windows are open and the balconies just some metres apart. In case a tenor singer lives in such a street, all the neighbours will know his voice. In the evenings, when it is getting cooler, people meet in the street - and talk.

Like all places along the Adriatic coast, Bisceglie has Greek and Roman roots, but after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the area was not really "developed". First small monasteries were founded, when the Lombards ruled the area before the Saracens took over for three decades in the 9th century. Around 1000 the Normans arrived in Southern Italy. A vassal of Robert Guiscard became Count of Trani in 1042. At that time the fortification of the place, that is Bisceglie now, started. A local legend tells, that the Chiesa di Sant'Adoeno was erected by Norman soldiers, It was consecrated in 1074 and was dedicated to the Virgin Mary , Sant'Adoeno (aka "Audoeno di Rouen") and San Giovanni Evangelista. Sant'Adoeno is known in France as Saint Quen, bishop of Rouen in the 7th. So obviously the Normans worshipped a saint "from home" here. Still today dozens of towns and villages bear his name - in Northern France.

Like all places along the Adriatic coast, Bisceglie has Greek and Roman roots, but after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the area was not really "developed". First small monasteries were founded, when the Lombards ruled the area before the Saracens took over for three decades in the 9th century. Around 1000 the Normans arrived in Southern Italy. A vassal of Robert Guiscard became Count of Trani in 1042. At that time the fortification of the place, that is Bisceglie now, started. In 1063 the bishopric of Bisceglie was established and the construction of the cathedral was started. The building was completed already around 1100, but then the alterations started, that over the centuries ruined the "original" church. The last restoration tried to recreate its former glory, what at that time meant to get out all of the suffocating Baroque addons of the late 18th century. The gallery

Like all places along the Adriatic coast, Bisceglie has Greek and Roman roots, but after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the area was not really "developed". First small monasteries were founded, when the Lombards ruled the area before the Saracens took over for three decades in the 9th century. Around 1000 the Normans arrived in Southern Italy. A vassal of Robert Guiscard became Count of Trani in 1042. At that time the fortification of the place, that is Bisceglie now, started. In 1063 the bishopric of Bisceglie was established and the construction of the cathedral was started. The building was completed already around 1100, but then the alterations started, that over the centuries ruined the "original" church. The last restoration tried to recreate its former glory, what at that time meant to get out all of the suffocating Baroque addons of the late 18th century. Thanks to a very friendly signore ("gracie mille", I was able to enter the gallery and see the nave from above. While the capitals of the nave got destroyed, the small ones of the gallery are still complete.

Like all places along the Adriatic coast, Bisceglie has Greek and Roman roots, but after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the area was not really "developed". First small monasteries were founded, when the Lombards ruled the area before the Saracens took over for three decades in the 9th century. Around 1000 the Normans arrived in Southern Italy. A vassal of Robert Guiscard became Count of Trani in 1042. At that time the fortification of the place, that is Bisceglie now, started. In 1063 the bishopric of Bisceglie was established and the construction of the cathedral was started. The building was completed already around 1100, but then the alterations started, that over the centuries ruined the "original" church. The last restoration tried to recreate its former glory, what at that time meant to get out all of the suffocating Baroque addons of the late 18th century. The "Romanesque" nave. Note the missing capitals. They were destroyed during the Baroque transformation.

Like all places along the Adriatic coast, Bisceglie has Greek and Roman roots, but after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the area was not really "developed". First small monasteries were founded, when the Lombards ruled the area before the Saracens took over for three decades in the 9th century. Around 1000 the Normans arrived in Southern Italy. A vassal of Robert Guiscard became Count of Trani in 1042. At that time the fortification of the place, that is Bisceglie now, started. In 1063 the bishopric of Bisceglie was established and the construction of the cathedral was started. The building was completed already around 1100, but then the alterations started, that over the centuries ruined the "original" church. The last restoration tried to recreate its former glory, what at that time meant to get out all of the suffocating Baroque addons of the late 18th century. The crypt is the oldest part of the church. Here are the holy relics of the city´s patron saints. These are the martyrs Sergius, Pantalemon and the missionary Maurus of Bethlehem. Their relics are kept in this crypt since 1167.

Like all places along the Adriatic coast, Bisceglie has Greek and Roman roots, but after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the area was not really "developed". First small monasteries were founded, when the Lombards ruled the area before the Saracens took over for three decades in the 9th century. Around 1000 the Normans arrived in Southern Italy. A vassal of Robert Guiscard became Count of Trani in 1042. At that time the fortification of the place, that is Bisceglie now, started. In 1063 the bishopric of Bisceglie was established and the construction of the cathedral was started. The building was completed already around 1100, but then the alterations started, that over the centuries ruined the "original" church. The last restoration tried to recreate its former glory, what at that time meant to get out all of the suffocating Baroque addons of the late 18th century. This group is on the outside wall. Looks like a farmer and domestic animals take a sunbath.

Like all places along the Adriatic coast, Bisceglie has Greek and Roman roots, but after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the area was not really "developed". First small monasteries were founded, when the Lombards ruled the area before the Saracens took over for three decades in the 9th century. Around 1000 the Normans arrived in Southern Italy. A vassal of Robert Guiscard became Count of Trani in 1042. At that time the fortification of the place, that is Bisceglie now, started. In 1063 the bishopric of Bisceglie was established and the construction of the cathedral was started. The building was completed already around 1100, but then the alterations started, that over the centuries ruined the "original" church. The last restoration tried to recreate its former glory, what at that time meant to get out all of the suffocating Baroque addons of the late 18th century. Here is one of the two fierce griffins, that guard the door of the main portal.

Like all places along the Adriatic coast, Bisceglie has Greek and Roman roots, but after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the area was not really "developed". First small monasteries were founded, when the Lombards ruled the area before the Saracens took over for three decades in the 9th century. Around 1000 the Normans arrived in Southern Italy. A vassal of Robert Guiscard became Count of Trani in 1042. At that time the fortification of the place, that is Bisceglie now, started. In 1063 the bishopric of Bisceglie was established and the construction of the cathedral was started. The building was completed already around 1100, but then the alterations started, that over the centuries ruined the "original" church. The last restoration tried to recreate its former glory, what at that time meant to get out all of the suffocating Baroque addons of the late 18th century.

Like all places along the Adriatic coast, Bisceglie has Greek and Roman roots, but after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the area was not really "developed". First small monasteries were founded, when the Lombards ruled the area before the Saracens took over for three decades in the 9th century. Around 1000 the Normans arrived in Southern Italy. A vassal of Robert Guiscard became Count of Trani in 1042. At that time the fortification of the place, that is Bisceglie now, started. In 1063 the bishopric of Bisceglie was established and the construction of the cathedral was started. The building was completed already around 1100, but then the alterations started, that over the centuries ruined the "original" church. The last restoration tried to recreate its former glory, what at that time meant to get out all of the suffocating Baroque addons of the late 18th century. The Romanesque facade has a large Baroque window.