Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Puglia romanica Apulia

Troia was probably founded by Greek settlers under the name of Aecae. The current Troia was founded as a fortified town in 1018 the by the Byzantine general Basil Boiannes. For long it was a stronghold against the Normans and got besieged by the emperors Henry II and Frederick II, who destroyed the town in 1229. He did not touch the "Concattedrale della Beata Vergine Maria Assunta in Cielo", erected in the first quarter of the 12th century where a Byzantine church formerly stood, that was apparently constructed largely from the remains of Roman buildings. The Concattedrale di Troia is reckoned a masterpiece of Apulian Romanesque architecture and is particularly noted for the rose window and the bronze doors of the west front. Once it was the seat of the Bishops of Troia, it is now a co-cathedral in the diocese of Lucera-Troia. The central rose window is very complex. The upper half is framed by a semicircle populated by strange and mythical animals. Here is a monkey and behind a griffon.

Troia was probably founded by Greek settlers under the name of Aecae. The current Troia was founded as a fortified town in 1018 the by the Byzantine general Basil Boiannes. For long it was a stronghold against the Normans and got besieged by the emperors Henry II and Frederick II, who destroyed the town in 1229. He did not touch the "Concattedrale della Beata Vergine Maria Assunta in Cielo", erected in the first quarter of the 12th century where a Byzantine church formerly stood, that was apparently constructed largely from the remains of Roman buildings. The Concattedrale di Troia is reckoned a masterpiece of Apulian Romanesque architecture and is particularly noted for the rose window and the bronze doors of the west front. Once it was the seat of the Bishops of Troia, it is now a co-cathedral in the diocese of Lucera-Troia. The central rose window is very complex. The upper half is framed by a semicircle populated by strange and mythical animals.

Troia was probably founded by Greek settlers under the name of Aecae. The current Troia was founded as a fortified town in 1018 the by the Byzantine general Basil Boiannes. For long it was a stronghold against the Normans and got besieged by the emperors Henry II and Frederick II, who destroyed the town in 1229. He did not touch the "Concattedrale della Beata Vergine Maria Assunta in Cielo", erected in the first quarter of the 12th century where a Byzantine church formerly stood, that was apparently constructed largely from the remains of Roman buildings. The Concattedrale di Troia is reckoned a masterpiece of Apulian Romanesque architecture and is particularly noted for the rose window and the bronze doors of the west front. Once it was the seat of the Bishops of Troia, it is now a co-cathedral in the diocese of Lucera-Troia.

Legends tell, that in 490, 492 and 493 the archangel Michael appeared to a shepherd and a bishop in front of a grotto. Archangel Michael instructing them to convert that cave into a Christian church. This grotto became the site of many pilgrimages since the early Middle Ages. It is said, that this is the oldest shrine in Western Europe When the Lombards successfully conquered southern Italy end of the 6th century, King Grimoald in 662 passed on the region to his son, Romuald I, who renovated the sanctuary and encouraged its use as a pilgrimage site. It got very popular for pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem and as well for pilgrims who had followed the Via Francigena to Rome and then continued to the grotto. Many Popes have been here, but as well Bridget of Sweden, Bernard of Clairvaux, Thomas Aquinas, Matilda of Tuscany, Otto III... Now I approached the sanctuary. The bell tower is part of the complex, it is known as the "Angevin Tower" as it was financed by the Angevin House of Anjou after their troops had conquered Southern Italy and so ending the time of the Normans.

The Phoenicians, the Greeks and the Romans have been here. In 216 BC, during the second Punic war, the Battle of Canne was fought nearby which led to the heavy defeat of the Romans by Hannibal's army. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the area was taken over by the Normans, who built a fortress here. During the time of the Crusades, Barletta became an important gathering point for the armies of knights. The city had its heyday under Frederick II, who in 1228 announced the sixth crusade during the Diet held here. Following the Muslim conquest in the Holy Land, the Archbishops of Nazareth took permanent refuge in Barletta in 1327. - The Duomo di Barletta (aka "Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore") was erected in Romanesque and later Gothic style from the 12th to the 14th century. The church occupies the site of ancient structures attributed to a temple dedicated to Neptune. Already in the 6th century, a palaeo-Christian basilica existed here. After Canosa had been destroyed by Muslim raiders, numerous clerics moved to Barletta. Traces of the church they erected can still be seen. A Romanesque church was built over this in Norman times, late 12th century the bell tower was raised. The church was consecrated in 1267 but was not completed before the 14th century. The Duomo´s long nave, just after a wedding ceremony. To the left steps lead down to the crypt. The altar is under a ciborium.

The Phoenicians, the Greeks and the Romans have been here. In 216 BC, during the second Punic war, the Battle of Canne was fought nearby which led to the heavy defeat of the Romans by Hannibal's army. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the area was taken over by the Normans, who built a fortress here. During the time of the Crusades, Barletta became an important gathering point for the armies of knights. The city had its heyday under Frederick II, who in 1228 announced the sixth crusade during the Diet held here. Following the Muslim conquest in the Holy Land, the Archbishops of Nazareth took permanent refuge in Barletta in 1327. - The Duomo di Barletta (aka "Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore") was erected in Romanesque and later Gothic style from the 12th to the 14th century. The church occupies the site of ancient structures attributed to a temple dedicated to Neptune. Already in the 6th century, a palaeo-Christian basilica existed here. After Canosa had been destroyed by Muslim raiders, numerous clerics moved to Barletta. Traces of the church they erected can still be seen. A Romanesque church was built over this in Norman times, late 12th century the bell tower was raised. The church was consecrated in 1267 but was not completed before the 14th century. The outer walls are covered with old graffiti.

The Phoenicians, the Greeks and the Romans have been here. In 216 BC, during the second Punic war, the Battle of Canne was fought nearby which led to the heavy defeat of the Romans by Hannibal's army. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the area was taken over by the Normans, who built a fortress here. During the time of the Crusades, Barletta became an important gathering point for the armies of knights. The city had its heyday under Frederick II, who in 1228 announced the sixth crusade during the Diet held here. Following the Muslim conquest in the Holy Land, the Archbishops of Nazareth took permanent refuge in Barletta in 1327. - The Duomo di Barletta (aka "Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore") was erected in Romanesque and later Gothic style from the 12th to the 14th century. The church occupies the site of ancient structures attributed to a temple dedicated to Neptune. Already in the 6th century, a palaeo-Christian basilica existed here. After Canosa had been destroyed by Muslim raiders, numerous clerics moved to Barletta. Traces of the church they erected can still be seen. A Romanesque church was built over this in Norman times, late 12th century the bell tower was raised. The church was consecrated in 1267, but was not completed before the 14th century. Three small windows.

The Phoenicians, the Greeks and the Romans have been here. In 216 BC, during the second Punic war, the Battle of Canne was fought nearby which led to the heavy defeat of the Romans by Hannibal's army. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the area was taken over by the Normans, who built a fortress here. During the time of the Crusades, Barletta became an important gathering point for the armies of knights. The city had its heyday under Frederick II, who in 1228 announced the sixth crusade during the Diet held here. Following the Muslim conquest in the Holy Land, the Archbishops of Nazareth took permanent refuge in Barletta in 1327. - The Duomo di Barletta (aka "Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore") was erected in Romanesque and later Gothic style from the 12th to the 14th century. The church occupies the site of ancient structures attributed to a temple dedicated to Neptune. Already in the 6th century, a palaeo-Christian basilica existed here. After Canosa had been destroyed by Muslim raiders, numerous clerics moved to Barletta. Traces of the church they erected can still be seen. A Romanesque church was built over this in Norman times, late 12th century the bell tower was raised. The church was consecrated in 1267, but was not completed before the 14th century. The window is framed by devils and evil creatures from hell, all torturing and devouring the poor souls of the sinners.

The Phoenicians, the Greeks and the Romans have been here. In 216 BC, during the second Punic war, the Battle of Canne was fought nearby which led to the heavy defeat of the Romans by Hannibal's army. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the area was taken over by the Normans, who built a fortress here. During the time of the Crusades, Barletta became an important gathering point for the armies of knights. The city had its heyday under Frederick II, who in 1228 announced the sixth crusade during the Diet held here. Following the Muslim conquest in the Holy Land, the Archbishops of Nazareth took permanent refuge in Barletta in 1327. - The Duomo di Barletta (aka "Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore") was erected in Romanesque and later Gothic style from the 12th to the 14th century. The church occupies the site of ancient structures attributed to a temple dedicated to Neptune. Already in the 6th century, a palaeo-Christian basilica existed here. After Canosa had been destroyed by Muslim raiders, numerous clerics moved to Barletta. Traces of the church they erected can still be seen. A Romanesque church was built over this in Norman times, late 12th century the bell tower was raised. The church was consecrated in 1267, but was not completed before the 14th century. The central portal got "modernized", but the side portals are clearly Romanesque. Here are "everyday scenes" incl. wrestlers and musicians.

The Phoenicians, the Greeks and the Romans have been here. In 216 BC, during the second Punic war, the Battle of Canne was fought nearby which led to the heavy defeat of the Romans by Hannibal's army. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the area was taken over by the Normans, who built a fortress here. During the time of the Crusades, Barletta became an important gathering point for the armies of knights. The city had its heyday under Frederick II, who in 1228 announced the sixth crusade during the Diet held here. Following the Muslim conquest in the Holy Land, the Archbishops of Nazareth took permanent refuge in Barletta in 1327. - The Duomo di Barletta (aka "Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore") was erected in Romanesque and later Gothic style from the 12th to the 14th century. The church occupies the site of ancient structures attributed to a temple dedicated to Neptune. Already in the 6th century, a palaeo-Christian basilica existed here. After Canosa had been destroyed by Muslim raiders, numerous clerics moved to Barletta. Traces of the church they erected can still be seen. A Romanesque church was built over this in Norman times, late 12th century the bell tower was raised. The church was consecrated in 1267, but was not completed before the 14th century. The central portal got "modernized", but the side portals are clearly Romanesque.

The Phoenicians, the Greeks and the Romans have been here. In 216 BC, during the second Punic war, the Battle of Canne was fought nearby which led to the heavy defeat of the Romans by Hannibal's army. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the area was taken over by the Normans, who built a fortress here. During the time of the Crusades, Barletta became an important gathering point for the armies of knights. The city had its heyday under Frederick II, who in 1228 announced the sixth crusade during the Diet held here. Following the Muslim conquest in the Holy Land, the Archbishops of Nazareth took permanent refuge in Barletta in 1327. - The Duomo di Barletta (aka "Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore") was erected in Romanesque and later Gothic style from the 12th to the 14th century. The church occupies the site of ancient structures attributed to a temple dedicated to Neptune. Already in the 6th century, a palaeo-Christian basilica existed here. After Canosa had been destroyed by Muslim raiders, numerous clerics moved to Barletta. Traces of the church they erected can still be seen. A Romanesque church was built over this in Norman times, late 12th century the bell tower was raised. The church was consecrated in 1267, but was not completed before the 14th century. The central portal got "modernized", but the side portals are clearly Romanesque.

The Phoenicians, the Greeks and the Romans have been here. In 216 BC, during the second Punic war, the Battle of Canne was fought nearby which led to the heavy defeat of the Romans by Hannibal's army. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the area was taken over by the Normans, who built a fortress here. During the time of the Crusades, Barletta became an important gathering point for the armies of knights. The city had its heyday under Frederick II, who in 1228 announced the sixth crusade during the Diet held here. Following the Muslim conquest in the Holy Land, the Archbishops of Nazareth took permanent refuge in Barletta in 1327. - The Duomo di Barletta (aka "Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore") was erected in Romanesque and later Gothic style from the 12th to the 14th century. The church occupies the site of ancient structures attributed to a temple dedicated to Neptune. Already in the 6th century, a palaeo-Christian basilica existed here. After Canosa had been destroyed by Muslim raiders, numerous clerics moved to Barletta. Traces of the church they erected can still be seen. A Romanesque church was built over this in Norman times, late 12th century the bell tower was raised. The church was consecrated in 1267, but was not completed before the 14th century.

Trani may have been founded by Greek settlers, but the known history starts late. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it was dominated by Lombards, Byzantines, Saracens and again Byzantines. With the conquest of southern Italy by the Normans and after 50 days of siege by Robert Guiscard´s troops, Trani became part of the Norman Empire in 1073. Already under the Byzantines, Trani had become an important port for trade with the Orient. The heyday was in the time of the crusades in the 12th and 13th centuries, when crusaders and merchants mainly went to the Holy Land from Bari and Trani. It became an episcopal see in place of Canosa, destroyed by the Saracens. Frederick II promoted the Teutonic Knights and the Jewish community and built a massive castle. Under his rule, the city reached its highest point of wealth and prosperity. The "Chiesa di Ognissanti" (= All Saints) was probably founded in the 12th and completed in the 13th century. It is located next to the harbour, from where many crusaders sailed off to the Holy Land. The tradition links the church to the Templar Order, but following the documents, it is more likely that it was the church of the merchant colony of Ravello. It may well have been a place of blessing for the crusaders. The church became the property of the bishop of Conversano and in 1479 was donated to the Lambertini family, that originated from, Ravello. Since the 19th century, the church is as well known as "Chiesa del Purgatorio". It became the seat of several Confraternities. It served the parish up to 1975 and became the seat of the Secular Franciscan Order in the 1980s. In 2019 there was a sign that it is now "Sito ufficiale dei Templari Cattolici d´Italia". . The church is only open for two days in the evening, but I was lucky and the custodian, dressed like a Knight Templar, unlocked the doors. As the small church had, like so many Romanesque churches in Apulia, a Baroque interior for a while, some of the capitals are chiselled off, as then the Baroque stucco had a better hold then.

Trani may have been founded by Greek settlers, but the known history starts late. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it was dominated by Lombards, Byzantines, Saracens and again Byzantines. With the conquest of southern Italy by the Normans and after 50 days of siege by Robert Guiscard´s troops, Trani became part of the Norman Empire in 1073. Already under the Byzantines, Trani had become an important port for trade with the Orient. The heyday was in the time of the crusades in the 12th and 13th centuries, when crusaders and merchants mainly went to the Holy Land from Bari and Trani. It became an episcopal see in place of Canosa, destroyed by the Saracens. Frederick II promoted the Teutonic Knights and the Jewish community and built a massive castle. Under his rule, the city reached its highest point of wealth and prosperity. The "Chiesa di Ognissanti" (= All Saints) was probably founded in the 12th and completed in the 13th century. It is located next to the harbour, from where many crusaders sailed off to the Holy Land. The tradition links the church to the Templar Order, but following the documents, it is more likely that it was the church of the merchant colony of Ravello. It may well have been a place of blessing for the crusaders. The church became the property of the bishop of Conversano and in 1479 was donated to the Lambertini family, that originated from, Ravello. Since the 19th century, the church is as well known as "Chiesa del Purgatorio". It became the seat of several Confraternities. It served the parish up to 1975 and became the seat of the Secular Franciscan Order in the 1980s. In 2019 there was a sign that it is now "Sito ufficiale dei Templari Cattolici d´Italia". . The church is only open for two days in the evening, but I was lucky. One of the two capitals, that flank the entrance. Guardian Angels with large wings. The evil is being killed.

Trani may have been founded by Greek settlers, but the known history starts late. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it was dominated by Lombards, Byzantines, Saracens and again Byzantines. With the conquest of southern Italy by the Normans and after 50 days of siege by Robert Guiscard´s troops, Trani became part of the Norman Empire in 1073. Already under the Byzantines, Trani had become an important port for trade with the Orient. The heyday was in the time of the crusades in the 12th and 13th centuries, when crusaders and merchants mainly went to the Holy Land from Bari and Trani. It became an episcopal see in place of Canosa, destroyed by the Saracens. Frederick II promoted the Teutonic Knights and the Jewish community and built a massive castle. Under his rule, the city reached its highest point of wealth and prosperity. The "Chiesa di Ognissanti" (= All Saints) was probably founded in the 12th and completed in the 13th century. It is located next to the harbour, from where many crusaders sailed off to the Holy Land. The tradition links the church to the Templar Order, but following the documents, it is more likely that it was the church of the merchant colony of Ravello. It may well have been a place of blessing for the crusaders. The church became the property of the bishop of Conversano and in 1479 was donated to the Lambertini family, that originated from, Ravello. Since the 19th century, the church is as well known as "Chiesa del Purgatorio". It became the seat of several Confraternities. It served the parish up to 1975 and became the seat of the Secular Franciscan Order in the 1980s. In 2019 there was a sign that it is now "Sito ufficiale dei Templari Cattolici d´Italia". . The church is only open for two days in the evening, but I was lucky. The central portal. The annunciation is seen in the tympanum.

Trani may have been founded by Greek settlers, but the known history starts late. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it was dominated by Lombards, Byzantines, Saracens and again Byzantines. With the conquest of southern Italy by the Normans and after 50 days of siege by Robert Guiscard´s troops, Trani became part of the Norman Empire in 1073. Already under the Byzantines, Trani had become an important port for trade with the Orient. The heyday was in the time of the crusades in the 12th and 13th centuries, when crusaders and merchants mainly went to the Holy Land from Bari and Trani. It became an episcopal see in place of Canosa, destroyed by the Saracens. Frederick II promoted the Teutonic Knights and the Jewish community and built a massive castle. Under his rule, the city reached its highest point of wealth and prosperity. The "Chiesa di Ognissanti" (= All Saints) was probably founded in the 12th and completed in the 13th century. It is located next to the harbour, from where many crusaders sailed off to the Holy Land. The tradition links the church to the Templar Order, but following the documents, it is more likely that it was the church of the merchant colony of Ravello. It may well have been a place of blessing for the crusaders. The church became the property of the bishop of Conversano and in 1479 was donated to the Lambertini family, that originated from, Ravello. Since the 19th century, the church is as well known as "Chiesa del Purgatorio". It became the seat of several Confraternities. It served the parish up to 1975 and became the seat of the Secular Franciscan Order in the 1980s. In 2019 there was a sign that it is now "Sito ufficiale dei Templari Cattolici d´Italia". . The front opens to a small narthex.

Trani may have been founded by Greek settlers, but the known history starts late. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it was dominated by Lombards, Byzantines, Saracens and again Byzantines. With the conquest of southern Italy by the Normans and after 50 days of siege by Robert Guiscard´s troops, Trani became part of the Norman Empire in 1073. Already under the Byzantines, Trani had become an important port for trade with the Orient. The heyday was in the time of the crusades in the 12th and 13th centuries, when crusaders and merchants mainly went to the Holy Land from Bari and Trani. It became an episcopal see in place of Canosa, destroyed by the Saracens. Frederick II promoted the Teutonic Knights and the Jewish community and built a massive castle. Under his rule, the city reached its highest point of wealth and prosperity. The "Chiesa di Ognissanti" (= All Saints) was probably founded in the 12th and completed in the 13th century. It is located next to the harbour, from where many crusaders sailed off to the Holy Land. The tradition links the church to the Templar Order, but following the documents, it is more likely that it was the church of the merchant colony of Ravello. It may well have been a place of blessing for the crusaders. The church became the property of the bishop of Conversano and in 1479 was donated to the Lambertini family, that originated from, Ravello. Since the 19th century, the church is as well known as "Chiesa del Purgatorio". It became the seat of several Confraternities. It served the parish up to 1975 and became the seat of the Secular Franciscan Order in the 1980s. In 2019 there was a sign that it is now "Sito ufficiale dei Templari Cattolici d´Italia". . The rear of the church facing the sea with three small protruding semicircular apses is very extraordinary, while the front (seen here) is not spectacular.

Trani may have been founded by Greek settlers, but the known history starts late. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it was dominated by Lombards, Byzantines, Saracens and again Byzantines. With the conquest of southern Italy by the Normans and after 50 days of siege by Robert Guiscard´s troops, Trani became part of the Norman Empire in 1073. Already under the Byzantines, Trani had become an important port for trade with the Orient. The heyday was in the time of the crusades in the 12th and 13th centuries, when crusaders and merchants mainly went to the Holy Land from Bari and Trani. It became an episcopal see in place of Canosa, destroyed by the Saracens. Frederick II promoted the Teutonic Knights and the Jewish community and built a massive castle. Under his rule, the city reached its highest point of wealth and prosperity. The "Chiesa di Ognissanti" (= All Saints) was probably founded in the 12th and completed in the 13th century. It is located next to the harbour, from where many crusaders sailed off to the Holy Land. The tradition links the church to the Templar Order, but following the documents, it is more likely that it was the church of the merchant colony of Ravello. It may well have been a place of blessing for the crusaders. The church became the property of the bishop of Conversano and in 1479 was donated to the Lambertini family, that originated from, Ravello. Since the 19th century, the church is as well known as "Chiesa del Purgatorio". It became the seat of several Confraternities. It served the parish up to 1975 and became the seat of the Secular Franciscan Order in the 1980s. In 2019 there was a sign that it is now "Sito ufficiale dei Templari Cattolici d´Italia". . The rear of the church facing the sea with three small protruding semicircular apses is very extraordinary. Here is the window of the central apse. Here are different kinds of stones carved in different styles and techniques. Seen on top is Samson tearing the lion apart.