Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Byzantium

With more than 500.000 inhabitants Hannover is the capital and largest city of the German state of Lower Saxony. Hannover was founded in medieval times on the east bank of the River Leine. It was a small village of ferrymen and fishermen. It became a comparatively large town in the 13th century, receiving town privileges in 1241, owing to its position at natural crossroads It was connected to the Hanseatic city of Bremen by the Leine and was situated north-west of the Harz mountains so that east-west traffic passed through it. Between 1714 and 1837 three kings of Great Britain were concurrently also Electoral Princes of Hanover. As an important railway and road junction and production centre, Hannover was a major target for strategic bombing during WW II. More than 90% of the city centre was destroyed in a total of 88 bombing raids. So today Hannover lacks it´s medieval heart. Originally the Museum of "Kunst und Wissenschaft" (art and science) inaugurated in 1856 in the presence of George V of Hanover. After the annexation of Hanover by Prussia, the museum was integrated into the Provincial Museum, as it was called from 1869. The museum ran out of space for its art collections, prompting the construction of the current building in 1902. Extensive renovations and modernisations were carried out in the interior from 1995 to 2000, reopening on 13 May 2000 as part of Expo 2000. Today the museum comprises the state gallery (Landesgalerie), featuring paintings and sculptures from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, and departments of archaeology, natural history and ethnology. The exact origin of the ivory panel is not known. It is attributed to the workshop of the so-called Romanos group, which was active at the imperial court in Byzantium around 950.

A legend tells, that a city called Sybar existed at the time of the Trojan War. It was conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, receiving the new name of Lupiae. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Lecce was sacked by the Ostrogoth troops of king Totila. In 549 it was taken by Byzantium and remained part of the Eastern Roman Empire for five centuries, interrupted by brief invasions by the Saracens, Longobards, Hungarians and Slavs. After the Norman conquest in the 11th century, Lecce regained commercial and political importance, flourishing in the subsequent Hohenstaufen and Angevine rule. From the 15th century, Lecce was one of the most important cities of southern Italy, and, starting in 1630, it developed into a centre of Baroque architecture. This was made possible by the soft tuff stone found in the area, perfect for that architecture. - Walter VI, Count of Brienne (and Lecce), founded a monastery here in 1352 for the Celestines, a kind of branch of the Benedictines. The monastery and the "Basilica di Santa Croce" were completely rebuilt in Baroque style from 1549 on. Where the church is now the Jewish community had lived until 1510, when the Jews got ousted. The construction of the church took about two centuries. In 1582 the lower part of the facade had been finished, the dome was completed in 1590. The portals were added from 1606 on. The church was completed by Cesare Penna and Giuseppe Zimbalo. The church has a richly decorated façade, with animals, grotesque figures and vegetables, and has a large rose window. The main portal has a pair of Corinthian columns and the coats of arms of Philip III of Spain, Mary of Enghien and Walter VI of Brienne, while on the side portals are those of the Celestines. The atlantes may represent the Turk prisoners made at the Battle of Lepanto (1571).

A legend tells, that a city called Sybar existed at the time of the Trojan War. It was conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, receiving the new name of Lupiae. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Lecce was sacked by the Ostrogoth troops of king Totila. In 549 it was taken by Byzantium and remained part of the Eastern Roman Empire for five centuries, interrupted by brief invasions by the Saracens, Longobards, Hungarians and Slavs. After the Norman conquest in the 11th century, Lecce regained commercial and political importance, flourishing in the subsequent Hohenstaufen and Angevine rule. From the 15th century, Lecce was one of the most important cities of southern Italy, and, starting in 1630, it developed into a centre of Baroque architecture. This was made possible by the soft tuff stone found in the area, perfect for that architecture. - Walter VI, Count of Brienne (and Lecce), founded a monastery here in 1352 for the Celestines, a kind of branch of the Benedictines. The monastery and the "Basilica di Santa Croce" were completely rebuilt in Baroque style from 1549 on. Where the church is now the Jewish community had lived until 1510, when the Jews got ousted. The construction of the church took about two centuries. In 1582 the lower part of the facade had been finished, the dome was completed in 1590. The portals were added from 1606 on. The church was completed by Cesare Penna and Giuseppe Zimbalo. The church has a richly decorated façade, with animals, grotesque figures and vegetables, and has a large rose window. The main portal has a pair of Corinthian columns and the coats of arms of Philip III of Spain, Mary of Enghien and Walter VI of Brienne, while on the side portals are those of the Celestines. The atlantes may represent the Turk prisoners made at the Battle of Lepanto (1571).

A legend tells, that a city called Sybar existed at the time of the Trojan War. It was conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, receiving the new name of Lupiae. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Lecce was sacked by the Ostrogoth troops of king Totila. In 549 it was taken by Byzantium and remained part of the Eastern Roman Empire for five centuries, interrupted by brief invasions by the Saracens, Longobards, Hungarians and Slavs. After the Norman conquest in the 11th century, Lecce regained commercial and political importance, flourishing in the subsequent Hohenstaufen and Angevine rule. From the 15th century, Lecce was one of the most important cities of southern Italy, and, starting in 1630, it developed into a centre of Baroque architecture. This was made possible by the soft tuff stone found in the area, perfect for that architecture. - Walter VI, Count of Brienne (and Lecce), founded a monastery here in 1352 for the Celestines, a kind of branch of the Benedictines. The monastery and the "Basilica di Santa Croce" were completely rebuilt in Baroque style from 1549 on. Where the church is now the Jewish community had lived until 1510, when the Jews got ousted. The construction of the church took about two centuries. In 1582 the lower part of the facade had been finished, the dome was completed in 1590. The portals were added from 1606 on. The church was completed by Cesare Penna and Giuseppe Zimbalo. The church has a richly decorated façade, with animals, grotesque figures and vegetables, and has a large rose window. The main portal has a pair of Corinthian columns and the coats of arms of Philip III of Spain, Mary of Enghien and Walter VI of Brienne, while on the side portals are those of the Celestines. The atlantes may represent the Turk prisoners made at the Battle of Lepanto (1571).

A legend tells, that a city called Sybar existed at the time of the Trojan War. It was conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, receiving the new name of Lupiae. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Lecce was sacked by the Ostrogoth troops of king Totila. In 549 it was taken by Byzantium and remained part of the Eastern Roman Empire for five centuries, interrupted by brief invasions by the Saracens, Longobards, Hungarians and Slavs. After the Norman conquest in the 11th century, Lecce regained commercial and political importance, flourishing in the subsequent Hohenstaufen and Angevine rule. From the 15th century, Lecce was one of the most important cities of southern Italy, and, starting in 1630, it developed into a centre of Baroque architecture. This was made possible by the soft tuff stone found in the area, perfect for that architecture. - Walter VI, Count of Brienne (and Lecce), founded a monastery here in 1352 for the Celestines, a kind of branch of the Benedictines. The erection of the large Baroque complex consisting out of the "Palazzo dei Celestini" and the annexed "Basilica di Santa Croce" started in 1549. The long facade carried 1659-1695 was the work of the architects Giuseppe Zimbalo (aka "Zingarello") and Giuseppe Cino. After the suppression of the order in 1807, the monastery became a government palace. It currently houses the offices of the Prefecture and the Province.

A legend tells, that a city called Sybar existed at the time of the Trojan War. It was conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, receiving the new name of Lupiae. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Lecce was sacked by the Ostrogoth troops of king Totila. In 549 it was taken by Byzantium and remained part of the Eastern Roman Empire for five centuries, interrupted by brief invasions by the Saracens, Longobards, Hungarians and Slavs. After the Norman conquest in the 11th century, Lecce regained commercial and political importance, flourishing in the subsequent Hohenstaufen and Angevine rule. From the 15th century, Lecce was one of the most important cities of southern Italy, and, starting in 1630, it developed into a centre of Baroque architecture. This was made possible by the soft tuff stone found in the area, perfect for that architecture. - The cathedral is located on the southeast corner of the "Piazza del Duomo" in the centre of the city. It first built in 1144, it underwent modifications later and was rebuilt in 1659 by the architect Giuseppe Zimbalo (aka "Zingarello") by order of bishop Luigi Pappacoda, in thy Baroque style typical for Lecce. The architect did not change the general layout but added an enormous, Baroque portal. This portal is considered to be a masterpiece of Baroque art. The campanile was built between 1661 and 1682. It was built to replace the Romanesque one, which had collapsed at the beginning of the 17th century. At a height of about 70 m the bell tower offers views of the Adriatic Sea and was used as a watchtower in former times.

A legend tells, that a city called Sybar existed at the time of the Trojan War. It was conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, receiving the new name of Lupiae. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Lecce was sacked by the Ostrogoth troops of king Totila. In 549 it was taken by Byzantium and remained part of the Eastern Roman Empire for five centuries, interrupted by brief invasions by the Saracens, Longobards, Hungarians and Slavs. After the Norman conquest in the 11th century, Lecce regained commercial and political importance, flourishing in the subsequent Hohenstaufen and Angevine rule. From the 15th century, Lecce was one of the most important cities of southern Italy, and, starting in 1630, it developed into a centre of Baroque architecture. This was made possible by the soft tuff stone found in the area, perfect for that architecture. - The cathedral is located on the southeast corner of the "Piazza del Duomo" in the centre of the city. It first built in 1144, it underwent modifications later and was rebuilt in 1659 by the architect Giuseppe Zimbalo (aka "Zingarello") by order of bishop Luigi Pappacoda, in thy Baroque style typical for Lecce. The architect did not change the general layout but added an enormous, Baroque portal. This portal is considered to be a masterpiece of Baroque art.

A legend tells, that a city called Sybar existed at the time of the Trojan War. It was conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, receiving the new name of Lupiae. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Lecce was sacked by the Ostrogoth troops of king Totila. In 549 it was taken by Byzantium and remained part of the Eastern Roman Empire for five centuries, interrupted by brief invasions by the Saracens, Longobards, Hungarians and Slavs. After the Norman conquest in the 11th century, Lecce regained commercial and political importance, flourishing in the subsequent Hohenstaufen and Angevine rule. From the 15th century, Lecce was one of the most important cities of southern Italy, and, starting in 1630, it developed into a centre of Baroque architecture. This was made possible by the soft tuff stone found in the area, perfect for that architecture. - Santa Maria della Grazia, located at the Piazza Sant'Oronzo in (in front of the Roman Amphitheater) was built within 5 years from 1585 on. It was erected following a blueprint by Theatine monk Michele Coluccio, following the taste of the Counter-Revolution. Statues of St. Peter and St. Paul flank the portal.

A legend tells, that a city called Sybar existed at the time of the Trojan War. It was conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, receiving the new name of Lupiae. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Lecce was sacked by the Ostrogoth troops of king Totila. In 549 it was taken by Byzantium and remained part of the Eastern Roman Empire for five centuries, interrupted by brief invasions by the Saracens, Longobards, Hungarians and Slavs. After the Norman conquest in the 11th century, Lecce regained commercial and political importance, flourishing in the subsequent Hohenstaufen and Angevine rule. From the 15th century, Lecce was one of the most important cities of southern Italy, and, starting in 1630, it developed into a centre of Baroque architecture. This was made possible by the soft tuff stone found in the area, perfect for that architecture. - The Theatines (aka " Congregation of Clerics Regular of the Divine Providence"), an order founded in 1524, commissioned this church. The building started in 1591 and followed a blueprint done by Theatine monk Francesco Grimaldi, who had worked before at the church "Sant’Andrea della Valle", in Rome, the "mother church" of the Theatines. The church played an important role in local history: in October 1860 the plebiscite operations to decide Lecce's "yes" to join the Kingdom of Italy took place here.

A legend tells, that a city called Sybar existed at the time of the Trojan War. It was conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, receiving the new name of Lupiae. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Lecce was sacked by the Ostrogoth troops of king Totila. In 549 it was taken by Byzantium and remained part of the Eastern Roman Empire for five centuries, interrupted by brief invasions by the Saracens, Longobards, Hungarians and Slavs. After the Norman conquest in the 11th century, Lecce regained commercial and political importance, flourishing in the subsequent Hohenstaufen and Angevine rule. From the 15th century, Lecce was one of the most important cities of southern Italy, and, starting in 1630, it developed into a centre of Baroque architecture. This was made possible by the soft tuff stone found in the area, perfect for that architecture. - The Theatines (aka " Congregation of Clerics Regular of the Divine Providence"), an order founded in 1524, commissioned this church. The building started in 1591 and followed a blueprint done by Theatine monk Francesco Grimaldi, who had worked before at the church "Sant’Andrea della Valle", in Rome, the "mother church" of the Theatines. The church played an important role in local history: in October 1860 the plebiscite operations to decide Lecce's "yes" to join the Kingdom of Italy took place here.

A legend tells, that a city called Sybar existed at the time of the Trojan War. It was conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, receiving the new name of Lupiae. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Lecce was sacked by the Ostrogoth troops of king Totila. In 549 it was taken by Byzantium and remained part of the Eastern Roman Empire for five centuries, interrupted by brief invasions by the Saracens, Longobards, Hungarians and Slavs. After the Norman conquest in the 11th century, Lecce regained commercial and political importance, flourishing in the subsequent Hohenstaufen and Angevine rule. From the 15th century, Lecce was one of the most important cities of southern Italy, and, starting in 1630, it developed into a centre of Baroque architecture. This was made possible by the soft tuff stone found in the area, perfect for that architecture. - The Chiesa del Gesù (aka "Madonna del Buon Consiglio") was built for the Jesuit order, who settled in Lecce in 1574. A year later the construction started following a design of the Jesuit Giovanni De Rosis, who came from Como. The entire building is inspired by the Chiesa del Gesù in Rome, considered the Mother of the churches of the Jesuit order. Somehow the interior of Baroque churches always seems a bit dusted.

A legend tells, that a city called Sybar existed at the time of the Trojan War. It was conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, receiving the new name of Lupiae. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Lecce was sacked by the Ostrogoth troops of king Totila. In 549 it was taken by Byzantium and remained part of the Eastern Roman Empire for five centuries, interrupted by brief invasions by the Saracens, Longobards, Hungarians and Slavs. After the Norman conquest in the 11th century, Lecce regained commercial and political importance, flourishing in the subsequent Hohenstaufen and Angevine rule. From the 15th century, Lecce was one of the most important cities of southern Italy, and, starting in 1630, it developed into a centre of Baroque architecture. This was made possible by the soft tuff stone found in the area, perfect for that architecture. - The Chiesa del Gesù (aka "Madonna del Buon Consiglio") was built for the Jesuit order, who settled in Lecce in 1574. A year later the construction started following a design of the Jesuit Giovanni De Rosis, who came from Como. The entire building is inspired by the Chiesa del Gesù in Rome, considered the Mother of the churches of the Jesuit order. Seen above the portal is the emblem of the Society of Jesus adored by two angels. On top of the gable is the sculpture of the Pelican who is breaking his chest to feed his offsprings.

A legend tells, that a city called Sybar existed at the time of the Trojan War. It was conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, receiving the new name of Lupiae. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Lecce was sacked by the Ostrogoth troops of king Totila. In 549 it was taken by Byzantium and remained part of the Eastern Roman Empire for five centuries, interrupted by brief invasions by the Saracens, Longobards, Hungarians and Slavs. After the Norman conquest in the 11th century, Lecce regained commercial and political importance, flourishing in the subsequent Hohenstaufen and Angevine rule. From the 15th century, Lecce was one of the most important cities of southern Italy, and, starting in 1630, it developed into a centre of Baroque architecture. This was made possible by the soft tuff stone found in the area, perfect for that architecture. - During the construction of the Bank of Italy building, carried out in the early 20th century the ruins of thee Roman amphitheatre got discovered. It measured approximately 102 m × 83 m and could hold about 25,000 spectators. Today the tourist can find one third of the entire structure, the rest is still hidden in the basement of Piazza Sant'Oronzo.

A legend tells, that a city called Sybar existed at the time of the Trojan War. It was conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, receiving the new name of Lupiae. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Lecce was sacked by the Ostrogoth troops of king Totila. In 549 it was taken by Byzantium and remained part of the Eastern Roman Empire for five centuries, interrupted by brief invasions by the Saracens, Longobards, Hungarians and Slavs. After the Norman conquest in the 11th century, Lecce regained commercial and political importance, flourishing in the subsequent Hohenstaufen and Angevine rule. From the 15th century, Lecce was one of the most important cities of southern Italy, and, starting in 1630, it developed into a centre of Baroque architecture. This was made possible by the soft tuff stone found in the area, perfect for that architecture. - Santa Maria della Porta is a round church, adjacent to the Porta Napoli. Originally there was a chapel outside the city walls, containing an image of the Virgin, which was considered miraculous. Work had begun to renew the city walls in 1548, but on account of a renowned miracle, worked by the image on a woman named Laura Macchia, who could walk after being paralyzed for 50 years, the structure was enlarged and built inside the walls. The present, octagonal building was rebuilt in Neo-classical style 1852 - 1858.

A legend tells, that a city called Sybar existed at the time of the Trojan War. It was conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, receiving the new name of Lupiae. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Lecce was sacked by the Ostrogoth troops of king Totila. In 549 it was taken by Byzantium and remained part of the Eastern Roman Empire for five centuries, interrupted by brief invasions by the Saracens, Longobards, Hungarians and Slavs. After the Norman conquest in the 11th century, Lecce regained commercial and political importance, flourishing in the subsequent Hohenstaufen and Angevine rule. From the 15th century, Lecce was one of the most important cities of southern Italy, and, starting in 1630, it developed into a centre of Baroque architecture. This was made possible by the soft tuff stone found in the area, perfect for that architecture. - The Porta Napoli is an "Arco di Trionfo" built in 1548 in honour of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. Charles V, head of the House of Habsburg, had commissioned the fortification of Lecce and the erection of a castle. The reliefs of the gable depict armour, weapons and the Spanish coat of arms. The "Arco di Trionfo" was inaugurated during a state visit by Emperor Charles V.

A legend tells, that a city called Sybar existed at the time of the Trojan War. It was conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, receiving the new name of Lupiae. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Lecce was sacked by the Ostrogoth troops of king Totila. In 549 it was taken by Byzantium and remained part of the Eastern Roman Empire for five centuries, interrupted by brief invasions by the Saracens, Longobards, Hungarians and Slavs. After the Norman conquest in the 11th century, Lecce regained commercial and political importance, flourishing in the subsequent Hohenstaufen and Angevine rule. From the 15th century, Lecce was one of the most important cities of southern Italy, and, starting in 1630, it developed into a centre of Baroque architecture. This was made possible by the soft tuff stone found in the area, perfect for that architecture. - Form the end of the 15th century, pushed by Ottoman persecution, a strong migration of Albanians to Southern Italy took place. The Albanians in Italy had built new communities and had created a community, with its own Byzantine rite, in Lecce. Over centuries their church was used by the Greek and Albanian merchants residing in Lecce, In 1765 San Niccolò dei Greci was built in a late Baroque style. It incorporates the remains of a Romanesque church.