Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Santa Maria Assunta

The first historical reference to Fondi dates to 338 BC, at the time of the Latin War, when its inhabitants gained minor Roman citizenship status. The importance of Fondi lay in its position across the old Via Appia, the main roadway from Rome to southern Italy. In the 6th century, Fondi was devastated by the Lombards but remained a dominion of the Eastern Roman Empire. Later a part of the Papal States, in 846 it was burnt out by the Saracens they settled there until they were defeated in the naval battle of Circeo of 877. In 1140 Fondi passed to the Dell'Aquila family, of Norman heritage, and then, in 1299, to the powerful Caetani barons, who for two centuries made Fondi the center of their power. Santa Maria Assunta (aka Santa Maria in Piazza) was built by Onorato II Caetani d'Aragona, Count of Fondi, on a church attested as early as 1126. The building was completed in 1490, though it was consecrated only in 1508, following the death of Count Onorato. The church suffered extensive damage from the bombings.

The first historical reference to Fondi dates to 338 BC, at the time of the Latin War, when its inhabitants gained minor Roman citizenship status. The importance of Fondi lay in its position across the old Via Appia, the main roadway from Rome to southern Italy. In the 6th century, Fondi was devastated by the Lombards but remained a dominion of the Eastern Roman Empire. Later a part of the Papal States, in 846 it was burnt out by the Saracens they settled there until they were defeated in the naval battle of Circeo of 877. In 1140 Fondi passed to the Dell'Aquila family, of Norman heritage, and then, in 1299, to the powerful Caetani barons, who for two centuries made Fondi the center of their power. Santa Maria Assunta (aka Santa Maria in Piazza) was built by Onorato II Caetani d'Aragona, Count of Fondi, on a church attested as early as 1126. The building was completed in 1490, though it was consecrated only in 1508, following the death of Count Onorato. The church suffered extensive damage from the bombings.

The island of Corsica is one of the 18 regions of France. It was colonized the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the Etruscans and the Romans. After the Roman empire collapsed, Corsica got invaded by the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. For a short while the island belonged to the Byzantine Empire, then the Franks granted the island to the Pope, in the early 11th century Pisa and Genoa together freed the island from the threat of Arab invasion. The island came under the influence of the Republic of Pisa, later it belonged to Genua for centuries. In 1755 after a long fight for independence from Genoa the independent Corsican Republic was proclaimed, but in 1769, when the island was conquered by France. As the areas near the coast over centuries have been threatened by attacks and raids of pirates many old hamlets and dwellings are wide inland, high in the mountains. So most of the old churches are in the mountains and some of them are hard to find. Santa Maria Assunta is located in the hamlet Pieve, belonging to Canari. It was a single nave church (17m x 8.25m), erected in Pisan style, that was first mentioned in 1124. Probably a predessening church existed, as some carved stones are dated to the 10th century. They got reused here. The church got enlarged and remodeled in the 17th century, when lateral chapels were added. Along the outer walls of the nave are medaillons and corbels in that rough style, that is typical for Corsica.This large carving is dated to an older building (10th c.). What is depicted here? A love couple? A nude female reaches out for a male (without legs!)? What does the right (male?) person hold? And is the full moon between them?

The island of Corsica is one of the 18 regions of France. It was colonized the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the Etruscans and the Romans. After the Roman empire collapsed, Corsica got invaded by the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. For a short while the island belonged to the Byzantine Empire, then the Franks granted the island to the Pope, in the early 11th century Pisa and Genoa together freed the island from the threat of Arab invasion. The island came under the influence of the Republic of Pisa, later it belonged to Genua for centuries. In 1755 after a long fight for independence from Genoa the independent Corsican Republic was proclaimed, but in 1769, when the island was conquered by France. As the areas near the coast over centuries have been threatened by attacks and raids of pirates many old hamlets and dwellings are wide inland, high in the mountains. So most of the old churches are in the mountains and some of them are hard to find. Santa Maria Assunta is located in the hamlet Pieve, belonging to Canari. It was a single nave church (17m x 8.25m), erected in Pisan style, that was first mentioned in 1124. Probably a predessening church existed, as some carved stones are dated to the 10th century. They got reused here. The church got enlarged and remodeled in the 17th century, when lateral chapels were added. Along the outer walls of the nave are medaillons and corbels in that rough style, that is typical for Corsica. There are so many of them, - I "glued" six faces together.

The island of Corsica is one of the 18 regions of France. It was colonized the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the Etruscans and the Romans. After the Roman empire collapsed, Corsica got invaded by the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. For a short while the island belonged to the Byzantine Empire, then the Franks granted the island to the Pope, in the early 11th century Pisa and Genoa together freed the island from the threat of Arab invasion. The island came under the influence of the Republic of Pisa, later it belonged to Genua for centuries. In 1755 after a long fight for independence from Genoa the independent Corsican Republic was proclaimed, but in 1769, when the island was conquered by France. As the areas near the coast over centuries have been threatened by attacks and raids of pirates many old hamlets and dwellings are wide inland, high in the mountains. So most of the old churches are in the mountains and some of them are hard to find. Santa Maria Assunta is located i the hamlet Pieve, belonging to Canari. It was a single nave church (17m x 8.25m), erected in Pisan style, that was first mentioned in 1124. Probably a predessening church existed, as some carved stones are dated to the 10th century. They got reused here. The church got enlarged and remodeled in the 17th century, when lateral chapels were added. Along the outer walls of the nave are medaillons and corbels in that rough style, that is typical for Corsica.

The island of Corsica is one of the 18 regions of France. It was colonized the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the Etruscans and the Romans. After the Roman empire collapsed, Corsica got invaded by the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. For a short while the island belonged to the Byzantine Empire, then the Franks granted the island to the Pope, in the early 11th century Pisa and Genoa together freed the island from the threat of Arab invasion. The island came under the influence of the Republic of Pisa, later it belonged to Genua for centuries. In 1755 after a long fight for independence from Genoa the independent Corsican Republic was proclaimed, but in 1769, when the island was conquered by France. As the areas near the coast over centuries have been threatened by attacks and raids of pirates many old hamlets and dwellings are wide inland, high in the mountains. So most of the old churches are in the mountains and some of them are hard to find. Santa Maria Assunta is located i the hamlet Pieve, belonging to Canari. It was a single nave church (17m x 8.25m), erected in Pisan style, that was first mentioned in 1124. Probably a predessening church existed, as some carved stones are dated to the 10th century. They got reused here. The church got enlarged and remodeled in the 17th century, when lateral chapels were added. Along the outer walls of the nave are medaillons and corbels in that rough style, that is typical for Corsica.

The island of Corsica is one of the 18 regions of France. It was colonized the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the Etruscans and the Romans. After the Roman empire collapsed, Corsica got invaded by the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. For a short while the island belonged to the Byzantine Empire, then the Franks granted the island to the Pope, in the early 11th century Pisa and Genoa together freed the island from the threat of Arab invasion. The island came under the influence of the Republic of Pisa, later it belonged to Genua for centuries. In 1755 after a long fight for independence from Genoa the independent Corsican Republic was proclaimed, but in 1769, when the island was conquered by France. As the areas near the coast over centuries have been threatened by attacks and raids of pirates many old hamlets and dwellings are wide inland, high in the mountains. So most of the old churches are in the mountains and some of them are hard to find. Santa Maria Assunta is located i the hamlet Pieve, belonging to Canari. It was a single nave church (17m x 8.25m), erected in Pisan style, that was first mentioned in 1124. Probably a predessening church existed, as some carved stones are dated to the 10th century. They got reused here. The church got enlarged and remodeled in the 17th century, when lateral chapels were added. Along the outer walls of the nave are medaillons and corbels in that rough style, that is typical for Corsica.

The island of Corsica is one of the 18 regions of France. It was colonized the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the Etruscans and the Romans. After the Roman empire collapsed, Corsica got invaded by the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. For a short while the island belonged to the Byzantine Empire, then the Franks granted the island to the Pope, in the early 11th century Pisa and Genoa together freed the island from the threat of Arab invasion. The island came under the influence of the Republic of Pisa, later it belonged to Genua for centuries. In 1755 after a long fight for independence from Genoa the independent Corsican Republic was proclaimed, but in 1769, when the island was conquered by France. As the areas near the coast over centuries have been threatened by attacks and raids of pirates many old hamlets and dwellings are wide inland, high in the mountains. So most of the old churches are in the mountains and some of them are hard to find. Santa Maria Assunta is located i the hamlet Pieve, belonging to Canari. It was a single nave church (17m x 8.25m), erected in Pisan style, that was first mentioned in 1124. Probably a predessening church existed, as some carved stones are dated to the 10th century. They got reused here. The church got enlarged and remodeled in the 17th century, when lateral chapels were added.

The island of Corsica is one of the 18 regions of France. It was colonized the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the Etruscans and the Romans. After the Roman empire collapsed, Corsica got invaded by the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. For a short while the island belonged to the Byzantine Empire, then the Franks granted the island to the Pope, in the early 11th century Pisa and Genoa together freed the island from the threat of Arab invasion. The island came under the influence of the Republic of Pisa, later it belonged to Genua for centuries. In 1755 after a long fight for independence from Genoa the independent Corsican Republic was proclaimed, but in 1769, when the island was conquered by France. As the areas near the coast over centuries have been threatened by attacks and raids of pirates many old hamlets and dwellings are wide inland, high in the mountains. So most of the old churches are in the mountains and some of them are hard to find. Santa Maria Assunta is located i the hamlet Pieve, belonging to Canari. It was a single nave church (17m x 8.25m), erected in Pisan style, that was first mentioned in 1124. Probably a predessening church existed, as some carved stones are dated to the 10th century. They got reused here. The church got enlarged and remodeled in the 17th century, when lateral chapels were added.

The island of Corsica is one of the 18 regions of France. It was colonized the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the Etruscans and the Romans. After the Roman empire collapsed, Corsica got invaded by the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. For a short while the island belonged to the Byzantine Empire, then the Franks granted the island to the Pope, in the early 11th century Pisa and Genoa together freed the island from the threat of Arab invasion. The island came, just like neighbouring Sardinia, under the influence of the Republic of Pisa, later it belonged to Genua for centuries. In 1729 the Corsican fight for independence from Genoa began. After 26 years of struggle the independent Corsican Republic was proclaimed in 1755, but in 1769, when the island was conquered by France. As the areas near the coast have over centuries have been threatened by attacks and raids of pirates (or sarazens or..) many old hamlets and dwellings are wide inland, high in the mountains. The remains of the old church of Santa Maria Assunta are on a small cemetery in Mela. According to tradition the church was founded in the 9th century, but it got obviously rebuilt rebuilt in the 10th century in Romanesque style. Most of what is seen today dates to the 16th century, when the church got reconsted following the original layout of a single nave church ith a semicircular apse. As it was way out of the village, it was given up in favor of the centrally located St. Peter's Church at the beginning of the 17th century.

The island of Corsica is one of the 18 regions of France. It was colonized the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the Etruscans and the Romans. After the Roman empire collapsed, Corsica got invaded by the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. For a short while the island belonged to the Byzantine Empire, then the Franks granted the island to the Pope, in the early 11th century Pisa and Genoa together freed the island from the threat of Arab invasion. The island came, just like neighbouring Sardinia, under the influence of the Republic of Pisa, later it belonged to Genua for centuries. In 1729 the Corsican fight for independence from Genoa began. After 26 years of struggle the independent Corsican Republic was proclaimed in 1755, but in 1769, when the island was conquered by France. As the areas near the coast have over centuries have been threatened by attacks and raids of pirates (or sarazens or..) many old hamlets and dwellings are wide inland, high in the mountains. The remains of the old church of Santa Maria Assunta are on a small cemetery in Mela. According to tradition the church was founded in the 9th century, but it got obviously rebuilt rebuilt in the 10th century in Romanesque style. Most of what is seen today dates to the 16th century, when the church got reconsted following the original layout of a single nave church ith a semicircular apse. As it was way out of the village, it was given up in favor of the centrally located St. Peter's Church at the beginning of the 17th century.

A church, near an old Roman road, existed here probably during the 6th century. This road leads up to the Cisa Passand connects the Po plain with Tuscany. It was used by the Lombards and later became the Via Francigena. The large church, seen today, is known since 1004. It got modified in 1080 and 1220. Later it got enlarged and transformed a couple of times. The church houses some extraordinary carvings from the old parish church of Fornovo, but it was locked - and I could find nobody in the hamlet, who could open it. Santa Maria Assunta has an impressive side portal with this very strange tympanum. Little Jesus standing on his mother's knees blesses the onlooker, while Joseph (?) is reading a book.

A church, near an old Roman road, existed here probably during the 6th century. This road leads up to the Cisa Passand connects the Po plain with Tuscany. It was used by the Lombards and later became the Via Francigena. The large church, seen today, is known since 1004. It got modified in 1080 and 1220. Later it got enlarged and transformed a couple of times. The church houses some extraordinary carvings from the old parish church of Fornovo, but it was locked - and I could find nobody in the hamlet, who could open it. Santa Maria Assunta has an impressive side portal.

A church, near an old Roman road, existed here probably during the 6th century. This road leads up to the Cisa Passand connects the Po plain with Tuscany. It was used by the Lombards and later became the Via Francigena. The large church, seen today, is known since 1004. It got modified in 1080 and 1220. Later it got enlarged and transformed a couple of times. The church houses some extraordinary carvings from the old parish church of Fornovo, but it was locked - and I could find nobody in the hamlet, who could open it. These hunting scenes framing he facade´s window (see previous upload) may well come from Fornovo too. The hunt is watched over by an Agnus Dei.

A church, near an old Roman road, existed here probably during the 6th century. This road leads up to the Cisa Passand connects the Po plain with Tuscany. It was used by the Lombards and later became the Via Francigena. The large church, seen today, is known since 1004. It got modified in 1080 and 1220. Later it got enlarged and transformed a couple of times. The church houses some extraordinary carvings from the old parish church of Fornovo, but it was locked - and I could find nobody in the hamlet, who could open it.

A church, near an old Roman road, existed here probably during the 6th century. This road leads up to the Cisa Passand connects the Po plain with Tuscany. It was used by the Lombards and later became the Via Francigena. The large church, seen today, is known since 1004. It got modified in 1080 and 1220. Later it got enlarged and transformed a couple of times. The church houses some extraordinary carvings from the old parish church of Fornovo, but it was locked - and I could find nobody in the hamlet, who could open it.

A church may have been here since Langobardic times, it is documented since 854, when it was already "pieve". In the 11th century the church got rebuilt with three naves and three apses. Some decades later a large narthex was added, to give shelter to the many pilgrims. Subsequently it got integrated into the church. Over the next centuries many enlargements and modifications were done. The bell-tower was added in 1302. Mid of the 18th century this was a Baroque church. Between 1927 and 1942 a major renovation was undertaken, reverting the church and the facade to its Romanesque elements. Many carvings are scattered over the facade, some of them are parts of a medieval pulpit, that was dismembered in the 18th century. What a horror!

A church may have been here since Langobardic times, it is documented since 854, when it was already "pieve". In the 11th century the church got rebuilt with three naves and three apses. Some decades later a large narthex was added, to give shelter to the many pilgrims. Subsequently it got integrated into the church. Over the next centuries many enlargements and modifications were done. The bell-tower was added in 1302. Mid of the 18th century this was a Baroque church. Between 1927 and 1942 a major renovation was undertaken, reverting the church and the facade to its Romanesque elements. Many carvings are scattered over the facade, some of them are parts of a medieval pulpit, that was dismembered in the 18th century. It is believed that this headless sculpture depicts a pilgrim on his way to Rome. He has some keys hanging from his belt, what is connected to the key of Saint-Peter. On the other hand, he is loaded with so much weight, that he may be as well a peddler, walking from door to door.