Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Siponto

Santa Maria di Siponto is a former cathedral in the area of ancient Sipontum, a city abandoned in the Middle Ages and re-founded as Manfredonia. The church is the only remaining building of the former settlement. The current church stands next to the remains of an early Christian basilica from the 6th century, which was probably built over an ancient Diana shrine. It may have been the baptistery or the atrium of the former basilica. It is certain that the old basilica was destroyed in an earthquake in 991. The reconstruction started around 1025. It was probably uncompleted when Pope Leo IX held a synod here in 1050. End of the 11th century another earthquake destroyed it again but it got rebuilt on a square plan and consecrated already in 1117. It consists of two apses on the southern and eastern walls, and a monumental portal with two side lions, facing the road. When in 1223 a severe earthquake finally destroyed Siponto, the complete complex in its old form could not be restored. End of the 12th century a great transformation started. A floor was installed, creating two floors, the current upper church and the lower church, the crypt (that was locked!). In 2016 young Italian artist Edoardo Tresoldi (*1986) "recreated" the lost cathedral out of wire mesh. The translucent sculpture erected over the old foundations is about 14 meters high.

Santa Maria di Siponto is a former cathedral in the area of ancient Sipontum, a city abandoned in the Middle Ages and re-founded as Manfredonia. The church is the only remaining building of the former settlement. The current church stands next to the remains of an early Christian basilica from the 6th century, which was probably built over an ancient Diana shrine. It may have been the baptistery or the atrium of the former basilica. It is certain that the old basilica was destroyed in an earthquake in 991. The reconstruction started around 1025. It was probably uncompleted when Pope Leo IX held a synod here in 1050. End of the 11th century another earthquake destroyed it again but it got rebuilt on a square plan and consecrated already in 1117. It consists of two apses on the southern and eastern walls, and a monumental portal with two side lions, facing the road. When in 1223 a severe earthquake finally destroyed Siponto, the complete complex in its old form could not be restored. End of the 12th century a great transformation started. A floor was installed, creating two floors, the current upper church and the lower church, the crypt (that was locked!). In 2016 young Italian artist Edoardo Tresoldi (*1986) "recreated" the lost cathedral out of wire mesh. The translucent sculpture erected over the old foundations is about 14 meters high.

Santa Maria di Siponto is a former cathedral in the area of ancient Sipontum, a city abandoned in the Middle Ages and re-founded as Manfredonia. The church is the only remaining building of the former settlement. The current church stands next to the remains of an early Christian basilica from the 6th century, which was probably built over an ancient Diana shrine. It may have been the baptistery or the atrium of the former basilica. It is certain that the old basilica was destroyed in an earthquake in 991. The reconstruction started around 1025. It was probably uncompleted when Pope Leo IX held a synod here in 1050. End of the 11th century another earthquake destroyed it again but it got rebuilt on a square plan and consecrated already in 1117. It consists of two apses on the southern and eastern walls, and a monumental portal with two side lions, facing the road. When in 1223 a severe earthquake finally destroyed Siponto, the complete complex in its old form could not be restored. End of the 12th century a great transformation started. A floor was installed, creating two floors, the current upper church and the lower church, the crypt (that was locked!). It seems, that during the 19th century, the church was unattended and so many people left graffiti.

Santa Maria di Siponto is a former cathedral in the area of ancient Sipontum, a city abandoned in the Middle Ages and re-founded as Manfredonia. The church is the only remaining building of the former settlement. The current church stands next to the remains of an early Christian basilica from the 6th century, which was probably built over an ancient Diana shrine. It may have been the baptistery or the atrium of the former basilica. It is certain that the old basilica was destroyed in an earthquake in 991. The reconstruction started around 1025. It was probably uncompleted when Pope Leo IX held a synod here in 1050. End of the 11th century another earthquake destroyed it again but it got rebuilt on a square plan and consecrated already in 1117. It consists of two apses on the southern and eastern walls, and a monumental portal with two side lions, facing the road. When in 1223 a severe earthquake finally destroyed Siponto, the complete complex in its old form could not be restored. End of the 12th century a great transformation started. A floor was installed, creating two floors, the current upper church and the lower church, the crypt (that was locked!). A horned devil? Or a ram?

Santa Maria di Siponto is a former cathedral in the area of ancient Sipontum, a city abandoned in the Middle Ages and re-founded as Manfredonia. The church is the only remaining building of the former settlement. The current church stands next to the remains of an early Christian basilica from the 6th century, which was probably built over an ancient Diana shrine. It may have been the baptistery or the atrium of the former basilica. It is certain that the old basilica was destroyed in an earthquake in 991. The reconstruction started around 1025. It was probably uncompleted when Pope Leo IX held a synod here in 1050. End of the 11th century another earthquake destroyed it again but it got rebuilt on a square plan and consecrated already in 1117. It consists of two apses on the southern and eastern walls, and a monumental portal with two side lions, facing the road. When in 1223 a severe earthquake finally destroyed Siponto, the complete complex in its old form could not be restored. End of the 12th century a great transformation started. A floor was installed, creating two floors, the current upper church and the lower church, the crypt (that was locked!). The interior of the upper church.

Santa Maria di Siponto is a former cathedral in the area of ancient Sipontum, a city abandoned in the Middle Ages and re-founded as Manfredonia. The church is the only remaining building of the former settlement. The current church stands next to the remains of an early Christian basilica from the 6th century, which was probably built over an ancient Diana shrine. It may have been the baptistery or the atrium of the former basilica. It is certain that the old basilica was destroyed in an earthquake in 991. The reconstruction started around 1025. It was probably uncompleted when Pope Leo IX held a synod here in 1050. End of the 11th century another earthquake destroyed it again but it got rebuilt on a square plan and consecrated already in 1117. It consists of two apses on the southern and eastern walls, and a monumental portal with two side lions, facing the road. When in 1223 a severe earthquake finally destroyed Siponto, the complete complex in its old form could not be restored. End of the 12th century a great transformation started. A floor was installed, creating two floors, the current upper church and the lower church, the crypt (that was locked!).

The "Abbazia di San Leonardo in Lama Volara" (aka "San Leonardo di Siponto") was probably founded at the end of the 11th century. It is dedicated to Saint Leonard of Noblac, a popular "Norman" saint. The monastery initially served as a hospice for pilgrims on their way to the Saint Michael Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo, an important pilgrimage site since the early Middle Ages. Later it also served as a place for travellers on their way to the Holy Land during the Crusades. Since 1127 Augustinian canons worked here, in 1261, the Teutonic Order took over the meanwhile dilapidated hospice and made the monastery to their centre of activities in Apulia. The Teutonic Order left in the second half of the 15th century. At some time in history, the arches to the right aisle got walled up, to create a separated space. Some of the capitals that got useless at that time are stored in the garden.

The "Abbazia di San Leonardo in Lama Volara" (aka "San Leonardo di Siponto") was probably founded at the end of the 11th century. It is dedicated to Saint Leonard of Noblac, a popular "Norman" saint. The monastery initially served as a hospice for pilgrims on their way to the Saint Michael Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo, an important pilgrimage site since the early Middle Ages. Later it also served as a place for travellers on their way to the Holy Land during the Crusades. Since 1127 Augustinian canons worked here, in 1261, the Teutonic Order took over the meanwhile dilapidated hospice and made the monastery to their centre of activities in Apulia. The Teutonic Order left in the second half of the 15th century. Corbels under the roof of the apse.

The "Abbazia di San Leonardo in Lama Volara" (aka "San Leonardo di Siponto") was probably founded at the end of the 11th century. It is dedicated to Saint Leonard of Noblac, a popular "Norman" saint. The monastery initially served as a hospice for pilgrims on their way to the Saint Michael Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo, an important pilgrimage site since the early Middle Ages. Later it also served as a place for travellers on their way to the Holy Land during the Crusades. Since 1127 Augustinian canons worked here, in 1261, the Teutonic Order took over the meanwhile dilapidated hospice and made the monastery to their centre of activities in Apulia. The Teutonic Order left in the second half of the 15th century. Some scholars claim, that the portal is one of the finest in Apulia. It opens to the road, where the pilgrims came along (today SS89). The right capitals of the portal depict the adorating Magi. Jesus is already pretty tall for a baby.

The "Abbazia di San Leonardo in Lama Volara" (aka "San Leonardo di Siponto") was probably founded at the end of the 11th century. It is dedicated to Saint Leonard of Noblac, a popular "Norman" saint. The monastery initially served as a hospice for pilgrims on their way to the Saint Michael Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo, an important pilgrimage site since the early Middle Ages. Later it also served as a place for travellers on their way to the Holy Land during the Crusades. Since 1127 Augustinian canons worked here, in 1261, the Teutonic Order took over the meanwhile dilapidated hospice and made the monastery to their centre of activities in Apulia. The Teutonic Order left in the second half of the 15th century. Some scholars claim, that the portal is one of the finest in Apulia. It opens to the road, where the pilgrims came along (today SS89). The left capitals of the portals have Saint Michael killing the dragon and Balaam, the donkey and the angel. Below the hoofs of Balaam's donkey are a small, hunting centaur and a gigantic hare.

The "Abbazia di San Leonardo in Lama Volara" (aka "San Leonardo di Siponto") was probably founded at the end of the 11th century. It is dedicated to Saint Leonard of Noblac, a popular "Norman" saint. The monastery initially served as a hospice for pilgrims on their way to the Saint Michael Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo, an important pilgrimage site since the early Middle Ages. Later it also served as a place for travellers on their way to the Holy Land during the Crusades. Since 1127 Augustinian canons worked here, in 1261, the Teutonic Order took over the meanwhile dilapidated hospice and made the monastery to their centre of activities in Apulia. The Teutonic Order left in the second half of the 15th century. Some scholars claim, that the portal is one of the finest in Apulia. It opens to the road, where the pilgrims came along (today SS89). The left capitals of the portals have Saint Michael killing the dragon and Balaam, the donkey and the angel. Numbers 22, 21-31 "Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the Moabite officials. But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, it turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat it to get it back on the road. Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat the donkey again. Then the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat it with his staff. Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?” Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.” The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?” “No,” he said. Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown."

The "Abbazia di San Leonardo in Lama Volara" (aka "San Leonardo di Siponto") was probably founded at the end of the 11th century. It is dedicated to Saint Leonard of Noblac, a popular "Norman" saint. The monastery initially served as a hospice for pilgrims on their way to the Saint Michael Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo, an important pilgrimage site since the early Middle Ages. Later it also served as a place for travellers on their way to the Holy Land during the Crusades. Since 1127 Augustinian canons worked here, in 1261, the Teutonic Order took over the meanwhile dilapidated hospice and made the monastery to their centre of activities in Apulia. The Teutonic Order left in the second half of the 15th century. Some scholars claim, that the portal is one of the finest in Apulia. It opens to the road, where the pilgrims came along (today SS89). The tympanum depicts Christ in a mandorla, flanked by two angels. The archivolt has the symbols if the evangelists left (Mark and Matthew) and right (Luke and John). Above them two centaurs with harp (left) and horn (right), a deer and a dragon.

The "Abbazia di San Leonardo in Lama Volara" (aka "San Leonardo di Siponto") was probably founded at the end of the 11th century. It is dedicated to Saint Leonard of Noblac, a popular "Norman" saint. The monastery initially served as a hospice for pilgrims on their way to the Saint Michael Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo, an important pilgrimage site since the early Middle Ages. Later it also served as a place for travellers on their way to the Holy Land during the Crusades. Since 1127 Augustinian canons worked here, in 1261, the Teutonic Order took over the meanwhile dilapidated hospice and made the monastery to their centre of activities in Apulia. The Teutonic Order left in the second half of the 15th century. Some scholars claim, that this portal is one of the finest in Apulia. It opens to the road, where the pilgrims came along (today SS89).

The "Abbazia di San Leonardo in Lama Volara" (aka "San Leonardo di Siponto") was probably founded at the end of the 11th century. It is dedicated to Saint Leonard of Noblac, a popular "Norman" saint. The monastery initially served as a hospice for pilgrims on their way to the Saint Michael Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo, an important pilgrimage site since the early Middle Ages. Later it also served as a place for travellers on their way to the Holy Land during the Crusades. Since 1127 Augustinian canons worked here, in 1261, the Teutonic Order took over the meanwhile dilapidated hospice and made the monastery to their centre of activities in Apulia. The Teutonic Order left in the second half of the 15th century