Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Maria Lactans

Chief Viriathus ("Viriato") successfully led the Lusitanians here in their resistance against the advancing Romans in the second century BC, until the latter were able to kill Viriathus and also conquer this area. Various milestones of Roman roads crossing here have been preserved. After the invasion of the Suebi and Visigoths in the 6th century AD, Viseu became a bishop's see. From the beginning of the 8th century, the region was ruled by Moors. During the Reconquista, Viseu also remained contested. In 1027, King Alfonso V of León fell during the siege of Viseu. Ferdinand I of León was finally able to conquer the region from the Arabs in 1057. Archaeological research has shown that there was an early Christian basilica on the site of Viseu Cathedral, which was built during the time of Suevian rule (5th-6th century), as Pope John III had already established a bishopric here in 572. After the reconquista, a first church was built from 1094 to 1114 on the site of today's cathedral. The new cathedral was built between 1289 and 1313 under King Dinis I, and the first cloister was added in 1379. The main portal of the cathedral was built in 1513. The Museu de Arte Sacra is housed in the complex of Viseu Cathedral. N.Sra do Leite - Our Lady of Milk / 15th century

In the 7th/8th century, the area was reconquered from the hands of the Moors by the kings of Asturias. A castle was built in 884 on the orders of King Alfonso III. Burgos became the coronation city of the kings of Castile in the 11th century, which underlines its special importance. After the conquest of Toledo by Alfonso VI. (1085). The city became the see of a Diocese and was a major stop for pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela. Burgos lost its importance a little, but the city remained an important economic, cultural, and political center in northern Spain. The Convento de San Pablo was a Dominican monastery founded in 1224 that existed until 1835. The construction of the cathedral was ordered by King Ferdinand III of Castile and the Bishop of Burgos. Ferdinand had just married Barbarossa´s granddaughter Beatrice of Swabia (aka "Elisabeth of Swabia") and wanted a cathedral, reflecting his new role in the European power game. The former Romanesque cathedral was demolished in 1221, and the construction of the new Gothic started under the guidance of a French architect. After nine years, the chevet was completed and the high altar was consecrated. Then the construction stopped for about 200 years. Attending the Council of Basel (aka "Council of Florence") in 1435 bishop Alfonso de Cartagena saw the elegant towers of the Basel Minster. When he returned to Burgos he was accompanied by German architect Johannes von Köln (aka "Juan de Colonia"), who probably knew the blueprints of the towers, planned for the Cathedral of Cologne. Under his guidance, the towers of the Cathedral were completed in open tracery. He was followed on the construction site by his son Simon de Colonia. Francisco de Colonia, Simon's son, continued the work and created the Pellejería-Portal. This was a family business. As I have uploaded many photos of the cathedral before, I will only add a few for now. "Virgen de la leche" - "Maria Lactans" / early 16th century

The "Costiera Amalfitana" - Amalfi Coast, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Gulf of Salerno, has been (rightly) one of the places of longing for northern European tourists for about 300 years. Meanwhile, the Amalfi Coast attracts large crowds of international tourists, especially in the summer. In 1997, the coasts were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. We had rented a small apartment and could see San Michele from the balcony. The facade of the church has been decorated with this "Maria Lactans" since 1936.