Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Gerace

The history of Gerace is closely linked to that of Locri at the coast, as the inhabitants abandoned Locri and fled from a Saracen attack and piratical dangers. They settled inland, where is Gerace now. The Locrian diocese was moved to Gerace and the innumerable presence of churches and monasteries helped to identify the fortress as a kind of Holy Mount. Because of its particular position, however, Gerace soon became a center of exceptional importance. The possibility of controlling coastal traffic, and the natural fortification, meant that it became the object of attention of the Byzantine Empire and the Kingdom of Sicily. In 986 the Saracens briefly conquered the city, but it returned to Byzantine control until the Norman conquest in 1059. Gerace was the seat of a principality under the Normans. Maria del Mastro was founded in Norman times around 1085 and originally dedicated to martyrs Eustrazio and Caterina. Excavations have brought to light several ossuaries, various ceramics, and decorated stuccoes dating back to the 12th century. Next to the main entrance are the remains of the ancient apse, positioned to the east and belonging to the foundation. The transition from the Greek to the Latin rite here, which took place in 1480, would have led to the abolition of the east-facing apse. The church was damaged by the earthquake of 1908.

The history of Gerace is closely linked to that of Locri at the coast, as the inhabitants abandoned Locri and fled from a Saracen attack and piratical dangers. They settled inland, where is Gerace now. The Locrian diocese was moved to Gerace and the innumerable presence of churches and monasteries helped to identify the fortress as a kind of Holy Mount. Because of its particular position, however, Gerace soon became a center of exceptional importance. The possibility of controlling coastal traffic, and the natural fortification, meant that it became the object of attention of the Byzantine Empire and the Kingdom of Sicily. In 986 the Saracens briefly conquered the city, but it returned to Byzantine control until the Norman conquest in 1059. Gerace was the seat of a principality under the Normans. Maria del Mastro was founded in Norman times around 1085 and originally dedicated to martyrs Eustrazio and Caterina. Excavations have brought to light several ossuaries, various ceramics, and decorated stuccoes dating back to the 12th century. Next to the main entrance are the remains of the ancient apse, positioned to the east and belonging to the foundation. The transition from the Greek to the Latin rite here, which took place in 1480, would have led to the abolition of the east-facing apse. The church was damaged by the earthquake of 1908.

The history of Gerace is closely linked to that of Locri at the coast, as the inhabitants abandoned Locri and fled from a Saracen attack and piratical dangers. They settled inland, where is Gerace now. The Locrian diocese was moved to Gerace and the innumerable presence of churches and monasteries helped to identify the fortress as a kind of Holy Mount. Because of its particular position, however, Gerace soon became a center of exceptional importance. The possibility of controlling coastal traffic, and the natural fortification, meant that it became the object of attention of the Byzantine Empire and the Kingdom of Sicily. In 986 the Saracens briefly conquered the city, but it returned to Byzantine control until the Norman conquest in 1059. Gerace was the seat of a principality under the Normans. The church was built in 1252 on the ruins of a pre-existing Romanesque building. It has a single nave and was part of an ancient monastery founded in the early 13th century, of which only the fountain and part of the cloister remain. Similar to the cathedral of Gerace, this building had periods of splendor over the centuries, alternating with dark times, decay and destruction. With the arrival of the French in 1806 the monks of the adjacent monastery, fearing the confiscation of their property, took away all the works and assets therein, impoverishing and dispersing the artistic heritage of the church. Between 1806 and 1897, the church was used as a prison and suffered enormous damage. With the closure of the prison, the building remained empty and deprived of its function as a place of worship, housed an oil mill and apartments. In 1951 began on the recovery and restoration of the building, which lasted over twenty years. The altar in baroque style is made of multicolored marble.

The history of Gerace is closely linked to that of Locri at the coast, as the inhabitants abandoned Locri and fled from a Saracen attack and piratical dangers. They settled inland, where is Gerace now. The Locrian diocese was moved to Gerace and the innumerable presence of churches and monasteries helped to identify the fortress as a kind of Holy Mount. Because of its particular position, however, Gerace soon became a center of exceptional importance. The possibility of controlling coastal traffic, and the natural fortification, meant that it became the object of attention of the Byzantine Empire and the Kingdom of Sicily. In 986 the Saracens briefly conquered the city, but it returned to Byzantine control until the Norman conquest in 1059. Gerace was the seat of a principality under the Normans. The church was built in 1252 on the ruins of a pre-existing Romanesque building. It has a single nave and was part of an ancient monastery founded in the early 13th century, of which only the fountain and part of the cloister remain. Similar to the cathedral of Gerace, this building had periods of splendor over the centuries, alternating with dark times, decay and destruction. With the arrival of the French in 1806 the monks of the adjacent monastery, fearing the confiscation of their property, took away all the works and assets therein, impoverishing and dispersing the artistic heritage of the church. Between 1806 and 1897, the church was used as a prison and suffered enormous damage. With the closure of the prison, the building remained empty and deprived of its function as a place of worship, housed an oil mill and apartments. In 1951 began on the recovery and restoration of the building, which lasted over twenty years. The main facade, on which opens an imposing Gothic portal with a pointed arch, with a triple archivolt is decorated with Arab-Norman motifs.

The history of Gerace is closely linked to that of Locri at the coast, as the inhabitants abandoned Locri and fled from a Saracen attack and piratical dangers. They settled inland, where is Gerace now. The Locrian diocese was moved to Gerace and the innumerable presence of churches and monasteries helped to identify the fortress as a kind of Holy Mount. Because of its particular position, however, Gerace soon became a center of exceptional importance. The possibility of controlling coastal traffic, and the natural fortification, meant that it became the object of attention of the Byzantine Empire and the Kingdom of Sicily. In 986 the Saracens briefly conquered the city, but it returned to Byzantine control until the Norman conquest in 1059. Gerace was the seat of a principality under the Normans. The church was built in 1252 on the ruins of a pre-existing Romanesque building. It has a single nave and was part of an ancient monastery founded in the early 13th century, of which only the fountain and part of the cloister remain. Similar to the cathedral of Gerace, this building had periods of splendor over the centuries, alternating with dark times, decay and destruction. With the arrival of the French in 1806 the monks of the adjacent monastery, fearing the confiscation of their property, took away all the works and assets therein, impoverishing and dispersing the artistic heritage of the church. Between 1806 and 1897, the church was used as a prison and suffered enormous damage. With the closure of the prison, the building remained empty and deprived of its function as a place of worship, housed an oil mill and apartments. In 1951 began on the recovery and restoration of the building, which lasted over twenty years. The main facade, on which opens an imposing Gothic portal with a pointed arch, with a triple archivolt is decorated with Arab-Norman motifs.

The history of Gerace is closely linked to that of Locri at the coast, as the inhabitants abandoned Locri and fled from a Saracen attack and piratical dangers. They settled inland, where is Gerace now. The Locrian diocese was moved to Gerace and the innumerable presence of churches and monasteries helped to identify the fortress as a kind of Holy Mount. Because of its particular position, however, Gerace soon became a center of exceptional importance. The possibility of controlling coastal traffic, and the natural fortification, meant that it became the object of attention of the Byzantine Empire and the Kingdom of Sicily. In 986 the Saracens briefly conquered the city, but it returned to Byzantine control until the Norman conquest in 1059. Gerace was the seat of a principality under the Normans. The small church of San Giovannello (aka San Giovanni Crisostomo) was built around the 10th century and still has the function of a Greek Orthodox church. It was once attached to the Convent of John Chrysostom, which was completely destroyed by an earthquake. Inside the single-nave church is a cistern fed by rainwater collected by a terracotta pipe. It was probably used for baptisms.

The history of Gerace is closely linked to that of Locri at the coast, as the inhabitants abandoned Locri and fled from a Saracen attack and piratical dangers. They settled inland, where is Gerace now. The Locrian diocese was moved to Gerace and the innumerable presence of churches and monasteries helped to identify the fortress as a kind of Holy Mount. Because of its particular position, however, Gerace soon became a center of exceptional importance. The possibility of controlling coastal traffic, and the natural fortification, meant that it became the object of attention of the Byzantine Empire and the Kingdom of Sicily. In 986 the Saracens briefly conquered the city, but it returned to Byzantine control until the Norman conquest in 1059. Gerace was the seat of a principality under the Normans. The small church of San Giovannello (aka San Giovanni Crisostomo) was built around the 10th century and still has the function of a Greek Orthodox church. It was once attached to the Convent of John Chrysostom, which was completely destroyed by an earthquake. Inside the single-nave church is a cistern fed by rainwater collected by a terracotta pipe. It was probably used for baptisms.

The history of Gerace is closely linked to that of Locri at the coast, as the inhabitants abandoned Locri and fled from a Saracen attack and piratical dangers. They settled inland, where is Gerace now. The Locrian diocese was moved to Gerace and the innumerable presence of churches and monasteries helped to identify the fortress as a kind of Holy Mount. Because of its particular position, however, Gerace soon became a center of exceptional importance. The possibility of controlling coastal traffic, and the natural fortification, meant that it became the object of attention of the Byzantine Empire and the Kingdom of Sicily. In 986 the Saracens briefly conquered the city, but it returned to Byzantine control until the Norman conquest in 1059. Gerace was the seat of a principality under the Normans. The "basilica concattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta di Gerace" is one of the largest sacred buildings in the region. The construction was started in the Norman period, with a projecting transept that reflects the Norman customs. The church was consecrated for worship in 1045. In the Swabian period, in 1222, a second consecration took place. The building was hit by several earthquakes over the centuries, which led to a number of significant changes. The interior of the basilical church has three large naves, which make up the longest arm of a Latin cross. They are separated by two rows of ten columns, made of polychrome marble and granite, all varying in quality and size. The columns come from the villas of the marina of ancient Pagliopoli/Locri, while the capitals are partly ancient and partly remade. In the crypt there is a small museum. This reliquary cross was made in the 12th century by a Jerusalemite workshop. It is a "stauroteka" as it contains a splinter of the "True Cross".

The history of Gerace is closely linked to that of Locri at the coast, as the inhabitants abandoned Locri and fled from a Saracen attack and piratical dangers. They settled inland, where is Gerace now. The Locrian diocese was moved to Gerace and the innumerable presence of churches and monasteries helped to identify the fortress as a kind of Holy Mount. Because of its particular position, however, Gerace soon became a center of exceptional importance. The possibility of controlling coastal traffic, and the natural fortification, meant that it became the object of attention of the Byzantine Empire and the Kingdom of Sicily. In 986 the Saracens briefly conquered the city, but it returned to Byzantine control until the Norman conquest in 1059. Gerace was the seat of a principality under the Normans. The "basilica concattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta di Gerace" is one of the largest sacred buildings in the region. The construction was started in the Norman period, with a projecting transept that reflects the Norman customs. The church was consecrated for worship in 1045. In the Swabian period, in 1222, a second consecration took place. The building was hit by several earthquakes over the centuries, which led to a number of significant changes. The interior of the basilical church has three large naves, which make up the longest arm of a Latin cross. They are separated by two rows of ten columns, made of polychrome marble and granite, all varying in quality and size. The columns come from the villas of the marina of ancient Pagliopoli/Locri, while the capitals are partly ancient and partly remade.

The history of Gerace is closely linked to that of Locri at the coast, as the inhabitants abandoned Locri and fled from a Saracen attack and piratical dangers. They settled inland, where is Gerace now. The Locrian diocese was moved to Gerace and the innumerable presence of churches and monasteries helped to identify the fortress as a kind of Holy Mount. Because of its particular position, however, Gerace soon became a center of exceptional importance. The possibility of controlling coastal traffic, and the natural fortification, meant that it became the object of attention of the Byzantine Empire and the Kingdom of Sicily. In 986 the Saracens briefly conquered the city, but it returned to Byzantine control until the Norman conquest in 1059. Gerace was the seat of a principality under the Normans. The "basilica concattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta di Gerace" is one of the largest sacred buildings in the region. The construction was started in the Norman period, with a projecting transept that reflects the Norman customs. The church was consecrated for worship in 1045. In the Swabian period, in 1222, a second consecration took place. The building was hit by several earthquakes over the centuries, which led to a number of significant changes. The interior of the basilical church has three large naves, which make up the longest arm of a Latin cross. They are separated by two rows of ten columns, made of polychrome marble and granite, all varying in quality and size. The columns come from the villas of the marina of ancient Pagliopoli/Locri, while the capitals are partly ancient and partly remade.

The history of Gerace is closely linked to that of Locri at the coast, as the inhabitants abandoned Locri and fled from a Saracen attack and piratical dangers. They settled inland, where is Gerace now. The Locrian diocese was moved to Gerace and the innumerable presence of churches and monasteries helped to identify the fortress as a kind of Holy Mount. Because of its particular position, however, Gerace soon became a center of exceptional importance. The possibility of controlling coastal traffic, and the natural fortification, meant that it became the object of attention of the Byzantine Empire and the Kingdom of Sicily. In 986 the Saracens briefly conquered the city, but it returned to Byzantine control until the Norman conquest in 1059. Gerace was the seat of a principality under the Normans. The "Basilica Concattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta di Gerace" is one of the largest sacred buildings in the region. The construction was started in the Norman period, with a projecting transept that reflects the Norman customs. The church was consecrated for worship in 1045. In the Swabian period, in 1222, a second consecration took place. The building was hit by several earthquakes over the centuries, which led to a number of significant changes.