Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Oristano

Massama is a small, rural suburb, about 4km north of Oristano. Seen here is the "Oratorio delle Anime" a small, complex and very enigmatic church. The oratorium is mentioned the first time within the 14th century, but was obviously erected within the 8th century or even earlier. There are still a couple of pre-Romanesque "byzantine" church on the island, but though the "Oratorio delle Anime" was for sure erected during the byzantine reign (534-832), the style and architecture here differs. The layout of the oratorium is that of a ankh ("crux ansata"), known from Egypt. The facade is clearly Romanesque, but some scholars found Visigoth influences, so that builders from Spain may have worked here. Unfortunately the Oratorio delle Anime was locked.

Massama is a small, rural suburb, about 4km north of Oristano. Seen here are two church. The large parish church "Santa Maria Assunta" (17th century) in the background - and next to it (in front) the "Oratorio delle Anime" a small, complex and very enigmatic church. The oratorium is mentioned the first time within the 14th century, but was obviously erected within the 8th century or even earlier. There are still a couple of pre-Romanesque "byzantine" church on the island, but though the "Oratorio delle Anime" was for sure erected during the byzantine reign (534-832), the style and architecture here differs. The layout of the oratorium is that of a ankh ("crux ansata"), known from Egypt. The facade is clearly Romanesque, but some scholars found Visigoth influences, so that builders from Spain may have worked here. Unfortunately the Oratorio delle Anime was locked.

Massama is a small, rural suburb, about 4km north of Oristano. Seen here are two church. The parish church "Santa Maria Assunta" (17th century) in the background - and next to it (in front) the "Oratorio delle Anime" a small, complex and very enigmatic church. The oratorium is mentioned the first time within the 14th century, but was obviously erected within the 8th century or even earlier. There are still a couple of pre-Romanesque "byzantine" church on the island, but though the "Oratorio delle Anime" was for sure erected during the byzantine reign (534-832), the style and architecture here differs. The layout of the oratorium is that of a ankh ("crux ansata"), known from Egypt. The facade is clearly Romanesque, but some scholars found Visigoth influences, so that builders from Spain may have worked here. Unfortunately the Oratorio delle Anime was locked.

Santa Giusta is a small town just three km south of Oristano - and so a kind of suburb. The Basilica di Santa Giusta is the former cathedral of the Diocese of Santa Giusta, that existed upto 1504, when it was annexed to the Archdiocese of Oristano. The cathedral was erected by Prison workers and completed in 1145. The crypt under the raised choir is pretty large and barrel vaulted. Holy Relics are still kept and venerated in the crypt.

Santa Giusta is a small town just three km south of Oristano - and so a kind of suburb. The Basilica di Santa Giusta is the former cathedral of the Diocese of Santa Giusta, that existed upto 1504, when it was annexed to the Archdiocese of Oristano. The cathedral was erected by Prison workers and completed in 1145. The crypt under the raised choir is pretty large and barrel vaulted.

Santa Giusta is a small town just three km south of Oristano - and so a kind of suburb. The Basilica di Santa Giusta is the former cathedral of the Diocese of Santa Giusta, that existed upto 1504, when it was annexed to the Archdiocese of Oristano. The cathedral was erected by Prison workers and completed in 1145. The crypt under the raised choir is pretty large and barrel vaulted.

Santa Giusta is a small town just three km south of Oristano - and so a kind of suburb. The Basilica di Santa Giusta is the former cathedral of the Diocese of Santa Giusta, that existed upto 1504, when it was annexed to the Archdiocese of Oristano. The pretty large cathedral was erected by Prison workers and completed in 1145. About 2000 years ago the Phoenician/Punic town Othoca existed near to the place, where the basilica is now. At that time here was a harbour. Stones and pillars from the ancient ruins were used for this church. This is the reason, why all pillars of the nave are different.

Santa Giusta is a small town just three km south of Oristano - and so a kind of suburb. The Basilica di Santa Giusta is the former cathedral of the Diocese of Santa Giusta, that existed upto 1504, when it was annexed to the Archdiocese of Oristano. The pretty large cathedral was erected by Prison workers and completed in 1145. About 2000 years ago the Phoenician/Punic town Othoca existed near to the place, where the basilica is now. At that time here was a harbour. Stones and pillars from the ancient ruins were used for this church. This is the reason, why all pillars of the nave are different. One wide stair leads up to the raised choir, while two smaller stairs run down to the crypt.

Santa Giusta is a small town just three km south of Oristano - and so a kind of suburb. The Basilica di Santa Giusta is the former cathedral of the Diocese of Santa Giusta, that existed upto 1504, when it was annexed to the Archdiocese of Oristano. The pretty large cathedral was erected by Prison workers and completed in 1145. The portal is flanked by a lion and a lioness. These symbolic lions are very frequent within the Romanesque times. Mostly they devour rams or other prey. Here the lions hold small deers (with antlers). They seem to pet them..

Santa Giusta is a small town just three km south of Oristano - and so a kind of suburb. The Basilica di Santa Giusta is the former cathedral of the Diocese of Santa Giusta, that existed upto 1504, when it was annexed to the Archdiocese of Oristano. The pretty large cathedral was erected by Pisan workers and completed in 1145. Over the centuries some major alterations took place. The western facade, built from limestones, cut in large ashlars. The portal is flanked by a lion and a lioness. About 2000 years ago the Phoenician/Punic town Othoca existed near to the place, where the basilica is now. At that time here was a harbour. Stones and pillars from the ancient ruins were used for this church. A Phoenician necropolis, dated to the 7th century BC, was as well excavated nearby.

Santa Giusta is a small town just three km south of Oristano - and so a kind of suburb. The Basilica di Santa Giusta is the former cathedral of the Diocese of Santa Giusta, that existed upto 1504, when it was annexed to the Archdiocese of Oristano. The pretty large cathedral, here seen from east, was erected by Pisan workers and completed in 1145. Over the centuries some major alterations took place. In the 16th/17th centuries the south wall was demolished to allow creation of two chapels. In 1860 the former bell tower collapsed. It was replaced in 1906 by a bell tower in neo-Romanesque style. About 2000 years ago the Phoenician/Punic town Othoca existed near to the place, where the basilica is now. At that time here was a harbour. Stones and pillars from the ancient ruins were used for this church. A Phoenician necropolis, dated to the 7th century BC, was as well excavated nearby.

Santa Giusta is a small town just three km south of Oristano - and so a kind of suburb. The Basilica di Santa Giusta is the former cathedral of the Diocese of Santa Giusta, that existed upto 1504, when it was annexed to the Archdiocese of Oristano. The pretty large cathedral was erected by Pisan workers and completed in 1145. Over the centuries some major alterations took place. In the 16th/17th centuries the south wall was demolished to allow creation of two chapels. In 1860 the former bell tower collapsed. It was replaced in 1906 by a bell tower in neo-Romanesque style. About 2000 years ago the Phoenician/Punic town Othoca existed near to the place, where the basilica is now. At that time here was a harbour. Stones and pillars from the ancient ruins were used for this church. A Phoenician necropolis, dated to the 7th century BC, was as well excavated nearby.