Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: scroll

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. When I had found San Quilico (St. Cyr) I realized, that the distance to Santa Maria was just about 500 metres. And they both looked very similar seen from this point of view. They were certainly built at the same time within the 13th century. Oral tradition knows, that the chapels were built by a father (San Quilico) and his son (Santa Maria). The family was clearly influenced by the Pisan style. When I had found San Quilico (St. Cyr) I realized, that the distance to Santa Maria was just about 500 metres. And they both looked very similar seen from this point of view. They were certainly built at the same time within the 13th century. Oral tradition knows, that the chapels were built by a father (San Quilico) and his son (Santa Maria). The family was clearly influenced by the Pisan style. Other than the sober and unpretentious Santa Maria San Quilico is richly adorned with many carvings. I have no idea what this scroll stands for. It must have been some specific. This was the third place on the island, where I saw a scroll. The others I saw in Aregno and Murato.

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. Archeologists proved, that Aregno was occupied already in Roman times and was a regional center of the surrounding hamlets in medieval times. It is known for this church. "Trinita e San Giovanni Battista", located in the center of the graveyard, is a former "pieve" (parish church) erected in the first half of the 12th century. This is a "Pisan style" single nave church 16.60 mx 6.30 m, with a semicircular apse circular and a spectacular facade with extraordenary carvings. On the right side, guarding the doors, stands this nude (?) person. Most see him holding a scroll, but this could be as well a weapon. Strange again, that he seems to have a twin in Murato.