Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: cathedra

Bari was an early settlement and passed under Roman rule in the 3rd century BC. It developed strategic significance as the point of junction between the coast road and the Via Traiana and as a port for eastward trade. The first bishop of Bari was Gervasius who is known from the Council of Sardica in 347. After the decline of the Roman Empire, the town was devasted and taken by Alaric´s Visigothic troops, then was under Lombardian rule, before the Byzantines took over. In 755 it was conquered by Pepin the Short (Charlemagne´s father) and from 847 on it was an Islamic Emirate. The Byzantine fleet returned in 871 and since 885 Bari was the residence of the local Byzantine governor. Following a three-year siege, Bari was captured by Robert Guiscard in 1071. After the relics of Saint Nicholas, which were brought from Myra in Lycia, arrived in Bari, the Basilica di San Nicola was founded in 1087. This attracted pilgrims, whose encouragement and care became central to the economy of Bari. After the murder of archbishop Griso in 1117 a civil war broke our and the control was seized by Grimoald Alferanites, a native Lombard, in opposition to the Normans. He later did homage to Roger II of Sicily, but rebelled and was defeated in 1132. The Castello Normanno-Svevo (aka "Castello di Bari") was probably built around 1132 by Norman King Roger II. When in 1155 the Baresi rebelled against the Normans, the castle got destroyed, so as a retaliatory action, William I of Sicily (aka "William the Wicked") had the city destroyed except for the cathedral and the Basilica of St. Nicola. Bari recovered and had its heydays under Frederick II. When he returned from his crusade after 1229, the city gates were locked so he had to use force to gain entry. Therefore, he probably had the fort built in 1233 to keep the city in check. On the other hand, he granted the city generous trade privileges and left it the leading role in the region. - The most important day in Bari´s medieval history was May 09. 1087. At that day seamen sailed into the harbour, carrying the remains of Saint Nicholas. They had stolen (or recovered) them from the saint’s original shrine in Myra, and following the legend, the saint, passing by the city on his way to Rome, had chosen Bari as his burial place. The cathedral was constructed as a shrine. The crypt got consecrated already in 1089 in presence of Pope Urban II. The Basilica di San Nicola, built between 1087 and 1197, clearly influenced the Romanesque style in Southern Italy. It still is a place of pilgrimage for Catholic and Orthodox Christians. Frederick II called the basilica "nostra specialis capella" and for the House of Anjou it was a "basilica palatina". Unfortunately, I could not find a good pov for taking a photo of the kathedra, the throne for Bishop Elias. So I glued these photos together. This is one of the most extraordinary Romanesque sculptural works of southern Italy. It can be dated pretty precise, as there is an inscription "INCLITUS ATQUE BONUS SEDET HAC IN SEDE PATRONUS BARINUS HELLIAS ET CANUSIUS" what translates to "Here sits the good patron Elias, bishop of Bari and Canosa". Elias was bishop of Bari and Canosa from 1089 to1105, so the cathedra must have been created within this years. The throne has a figural design of the base. Three men can be seen, carrying the load. The two main girders on the left and right are obviously groaning under the load, while the smaller figure in the middle, holding a pilgrim's staff, barely supports his colleagues.

Bari was an early settlement and passed under Roman rule in the 3rd century BC. It developed strategic significance as the point of junction between the coast road and the Via Traiana and as a port for eastward trade. The first bishop of Bari was Gervasius who is known from the Council of Sardica in 347. After the decline of the Roman Empire, the town was devasted and taken by Alaric´s Visigothic troops, then was under Lombardian rule, before the Byzantines took over. In 755 it was conquered by Pepin the Short (Charlemagne´s father) and from 847 on it was an Islamic Emirate. The Byzantine fleet returned in 871 and since 885 Bari ws the residence of the local Byzantine governor. Following a three-year siege, Bari was captured by Robert Guiscard in 1071. After the relics of Saint Nicholas, which were surreptitiously brought from Myra in Lycia (Byzantine territory), arrived in Bari, the Basilica di San Nicola was founded in 1087. This attracted pilgrims, whose encouragement and care became central to the economy of Bari. Pope Urban II consecrated the Basilica in 1089. In 1096 a crusader army embarked in the port of Bari for the First Crusade. After the murder of archbishop Griso in 1117 a civil war broke our and the control was seized by Grimoald Alferanites, a native Lombard, in opposition to the Normans. He later did homage to Roger II of Sicily, but rebelled and was defeated in 1132. The Castello Normanno-Svevo (aka "Castello di Bari") was probably built around 1132 by Norman King Roger II. When in 1155 the Baresi rebelled against the Normans, the castle got destroyed, so as a retaliatory action, William I of Sicily (aka William the Wicked") had the city destroyed except for the cathedral and the Basilica of St. Nicola. Bari recovered and had its heydays under Frederick II. When he returned from his crusade after 1229, the city gates were locked so he had to use force to gain entry. Therefore, he probably had the fort built in 1233 to keep the city in check. On the other hand, he granted the city generous trade privileges and left it the leading role in the region. - The construction of the "Cattedrale di San Sabino" (aka "Bari Cathedral" started around 1170 on. The cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Bari-Bitonto. It is dedicated to Saint Sabinus, a bishop of Canosa, whose relics were brought here in the 9th century. It was erected on the site of the ruins of the Imperial Byzantine cathedral, destroyed in 1156 by William I of Sicily with the rest of the city. For the reconstruction of the cathedral materials from the preceding church and other destroyed buildings got reused. During the 18th century the façade, the nave and aisles and the crypt were refurbished in Baroque style. The building later underwent a series of refurbishments, demolitions and extensions. The original Romanesque appearance of the interior was restored in the 1950s. The cathedra (bishop's throne) seems a little too massive. The lower parts may be medieval, but the lions seem to be much younger.

Legends tell, that the Homeric hero Diomedes founded "Canusion", the town existed already in early Etrscian times and later became a Greek polis. In Roman times it was a colony and had a large amphitheatre. End of the 3rd century it was the capital of Apulia and Calabria. Bishops are known here already in the 4th century, when one of them took part in a Council. The area suffered from Muslim invasions and got completely destroyed in 844. Rebuilding took place a century later, It was under Lombardian rule until the Norman conquest and the establishement of the Kingdom of Sicily. Under Bohemund I of Antioch (+ 1111), son of Robert Guiscard, it regained some of its earlier importance. The Cathedral of San Sabino was founded in the 8th century by the Lombards. When it was comleted in 1101 it was named after St. Sabinus of Canosa in 1101. It was an example of Romanesque/Byzantine style. After the earthquake of 1851, the cathedral was severely damaged and the restoration work led to the reconstruction of the facade. Placed in the centre of the apsis is the Bishop´s thone ("cathedra"), another medieval masterwork. It was created by Master Romualdus for Bishop Ursus, the last Archbishop of Canosa. Romualdus´ style is strongly influenced by Byzantine works. Th cathedra is to large to be "comfortable" and the front plate with the eagles was probably added later. When Bishop Ursus comissioned it, the diocese of Bari was slowly "overtaking" the older one in Canosa. So later this the large cathedra became a kind of episcopal power symbol, as the bishop did not reside here any more, but in Bari. Here is the signature, mentioning the commisioner and the artist "URSO PRECEPTOR ROMOALDUS AD HEC FUIT ACTOR" Bishop Urso btw was later captured by the Muslims, converted to Islam and was murdered in 1089.

Legends tell, that the Homeric hero Diomedes founded "Canusion", the town existed already in early Etrscian times and later became a Greek polis. In Roman times it was a colony and had a large amphitheatre. End of the 3rd century it was the capital of Apulia and Calabria. Bishops are known here already in the 4th century, when one of them took part in a Council. The area suffered from Muslim invasions and got completely destroyed in 844. Rebuilding took place a century later, It was under Lombardian rule until the Norman conquest and the establishement of the Kingdom of Sicily. Under Bohemund I of Antioch (+ 1111), son of Robert Guiscard, it regained some of its earlier importance. The Cathedral of San Sabino was founded in the 8th century by the Lombards. When it was comleted in 1101 it was named after St. Sabinus of Canosa in 1101. It was an example of Romanesque/Byzantine style. After the earthquake of 1851, the cathedral was severely damaged and the restoration work led to the reconstruction of the facade. Placed in the centre of the apsis is the Bishop´s thone ("cathedra"), another medieval masterwork. It was created by Master Romualdus for Bishop Ursus, the last Archbishop of Canosa, who was murdered in 1089. Romualdus´ style is strongly influenced by Byzantine works. Th cathedra is to large to be "comfortable" and the front plate with the eagles was probably added later. When Bishop Ursus comissioned it, the diocese of Bari was slowly "overtaking" the older one in Canosa. So later this the large cathedra became a kind of episcopal power symbol, as the bishop did not reside here any more, but in Bari. Seen here on the side is the "signature", that mentions the commissioner and the artist.

Legends tell, that the Homeric hero Diomedes founded "Canusion", the town existed already in early Etrscian times and later became a Greek polis. In Roman times it was a colony and had a large amphitheatre. End of the 3rd century it was the capital of Apulia and Calabria. Bishops are known here already in the 4th century, when one of them took part in a Council. The area suffered from Muslim invasions and got completely destroyed in 844. Rebuilding took place a century later, It was under Lombardian rule until the Norman conquest and the establishement of the Kingdom of Sicily. Under Bohemund I of Antioch (+ 1111), son of Robert Guiscard, it regained some of its earlier importance. The Cathedral of San Sabino was founded in the 8th century by the Lombards. When it was comleted in 1101 it was named after St. Sabinus of Canosa in 1101. It was an example of Romanesque/Byzantine style. After the earthquake of 1851, the cathedral was severely damaged and the restoration work led to the reconstruction of the facade. Placed in the centre of the apsis is the Bishop´s thone ("cathedra"), another medieval masterwork. It was created by Master Romualdus for Bishop Ursus, the last Archbishop of Canosa, who was murdered in 1089. Romualdus´ style is strongly influenced by Byzantine works. Th cathedra is to large to be "comfortable" and the front plate with the eagles was probably added later. When Bishop Ursus comissioned it, the diocese of Bari was slowly "overtaking" the older one in Canosa. So later this the large cathedra became a kind of episcopal power symbol, as the bishop did not reside here any more, but in Bari.

Legends tell, that the Homeric hero Diomedes founded "Canusion", the town existed already in early Etrscian times and later became a Greek polis. In Roman times it was a colony and had a large amphitheatre. End of the 3rd century it was the capital of Apulia and Calabria. Bishops are known here already in the 4th century, when one of them took part in a Council. The area suffered from Muslim invasions and got completely destroyed in 844. Rebuilding took place a century later, It was under Lombardian rule until the Norman conquest and the establishement of the Kingdom of Sicily. Under Bohemund I of Antioch (+ 1111), son of Robert Guiscard, it regained some of its earlier importance. The Cathedral of San Sabino was founded in the 8th century by the Lombards. When it was comleted in 1101 it was named after St. Sabinus of Canosa in 1101. It was an example of Romanesque/Byzantine style. After the earthquake of 1851, the cathedral was severely damaged and the restoration work led to the reconstruction of the facade. Placed in the centre of the apsis is the Bishop´s thone ("cathedra"), another medieval masterwork. It was created by Master Romualdus for Bishop Ursus, the last Archbishop of Canosa, who was murdered in 1089. Romualdus´ style is strongly influenced by Byzantine works. Th cathedra is to large to be "comfortable" and the front plate with the eagles was probably added later. When Bishop Ursus comissioned it, the diocese of Bari was slowly "overtaking" the older one in Canosa. So later this the large cathedra became a kind of episcopal power symbol, as the bishop did not reside here any more, but in Bari.

Legends tell, that the Homeric hero Diomedes founded "Canusion", the town existed already in early Etrscian times and later became a Greek polis. In Roman times it was a colony and had a large amphitheatre. End of the 3rd century it was the capital of Apulia and Calabria. Bishops are known here already in the 4th century, when one of them took part in a Council. The area suffered from Muslim invasions and got completely destroyed in 844. Rebuilding took place a century later, It was under Lombardian rule until the Norman conquest and the establishement of the Kingdom of Sicily. Under Bohemund I of Antioch (+ 1111), son of Robert Guiscard, it regained some of its earlier importance. The Cathedral of San Sabino was founded in the 8th century by the Lombards. When it was comleted in 1101 it was named after St. Sabinus of Canosa in 1101. It was an example of Romanesque/Byzantine style. After the earthquake of 1851, the cathedral was severely damaged and the restoration work led to the reconstruction of the facade. Placed in the centre of the apsis is the Bishop´s thone ("cathedra"), another medieval masterwork. It was created by Master Romualdus for Bishop Ursus, the last Archbishop of Canosa, who was murdered in 1089. Th cathedra is to large to be "comfortable" and the front plate with the eagles was probably added later. When Bishop Ursus comissioned it, the diocese of Bari was slowly "overtaking" the older one in Canosa. So later this the large cathedra became a kind of episcopal power symbol, as the bishop did not reside here any more, but in Bari.

Legends tell, that the Homeric hero Diomedes founded "Canusion", the town existed already in early Etrscian times and later became a Greek polis. In Roman times it was a colony and had a large amphitheatre. End of the 3rd century it was the capital of Apulia and Calabria. Bishops are known here already in the 4th century, when one of them took part in a Council. The area suffered from Muslim invasions and got completely destroyed in 844. Rebuilding took place a century later, It was under Lombardian rule until the Norman conquest and the establishement of the Kingdom of Sicily. Under Bohemund I of Antioch (+ 1111), son of Robert Guiscard, it regained some of its earlier importance. The Cathedral of San Sabino was founded in the 8th century by the Lombards. When it was comleted in 1101 it was named after St. Sabinus of Canosa in 1101. It was an example of Romanesque/Byzantine style. After the earthquake of 1851, the cathedral was severely damaged and the restoration work led to the reconstruction of the facade. Placed in the centre of the apsis is the Bishop´s thone ("cathedra"), another medieval masterwork. It was created by Master Romualdus for Bishop Ursus, the last Archbishop of Canosa, who was murdered in 1089. Th cathedra is to large to be "comfortable" and the front plate with the eagles was probably added later. When Bishop Ursus comissioned it, the diocese of Bari was slowly "overtaking" the older one in Canosa. So later this the large cathedra became a kind of episcopal power symbol, as the bishop did not reside here any more, but in Bari.

Ottana was the center of a diocese between 1112 and 1503. San Nicola, now a parish church, was a cathedral once. The church, placed on a hill, was erected on foundations of an older byzantine structure within the first half 12th century from black trachyt slabs. San Nicola was built on a "Tau Cross" floor plan. In 1912 a parchment was found, hidden under the main altar, describing and dating the consecration performed by "Zacharias Episcopus" in 1160. A cathedra, the bishop's seat, was (and still is) essential for a cathedral. All such chairs I found sofar were "thrones" - so this chair is probably not Zacharias Episcopus´ cathedra, though it looks as old as the church itself.

Kloster St. Emmeram (St. Emmeram's Abbey) was founded in about 739. The church was erected over the tomb of St. Emmeram. Emmeram was one of the early wandering missionaries in Bavaria. He came from Poitiers, where he had been bishop, and was martyred in 652. Saint Wolfgang of Regensburg (924 - 994) was abbot here, before he became bishop of Regensburg. Wolfgang and his successor Blessed Ramwod connected the abbey to the monastic reforms of Gorze. A century later St. Emmeram´s Abbey was one of the centers of the Cluniac Reforms in Southern Germany. William of Hirsau and (his friend) Ulrich of Zell "aka "Ulrich of Cluny") were both educated here. During that years, St. Emmeram´s was an intellectual hub. The scriptorium was a centre of book production and illumination ("Uta Codex"). The importance declined, but during the 16th century the abbey enjoyed a resurgence particularly in the natural sciences. In 1731, the abbots were raised to the status of Reichsfuersten ("Princes of the Empire"), what triggered a Baroque refurbishment od the buildings, lead by the Asam brothers. The secularisation ended the monastic life and in 1812 the buildings were granted to the Princes of Thurn and Taxis, who had St. Emmeram's Abbey converted as a residence, known as "Schloss Thurn und Taxis". The family of Thurn und Taxis still lives in the former monastery, while the former abbey church now is the parish church St. Emmeram, . This throne is placed in the crypt of St. Wolfgang, just opposite St. Wolfgang´s shrine. The throne, dated to the 10th century, may have been the "bishop´s seat" of Wolfgang. The two lions make very clear, that the person, seated on the "cathedra" above them is of a very high rank. The throne may be even a older and used by Arnulf von Kaernten (Arnulf of Carinthia) the last Carolingian emperor, who had a palace next to the monastery. It is actually named "Heinrichstuhl", what may be connected to Duke Heinrich II of Bavaria (aka "Heinrich der Zaenker", "Henry the Wrangler"), whose grave is in St. Emmeram, or to three of the local burgraves named Heinrich who may have (re)used the throne within the 12th /13th century. It may well be, that all mentioned persons (and many more) have used this throne.

Already Theodoric the Great, King of the Ostrogoths, may have funded a church, erected over the tomb of Saint Zeno, who, following the legends, was born in Mauretania and died around 380 in Verona. The erection of the present church began in the 9th century. Soon after San Zeno´s relics were translated into the new church. At that time Charlemagne´s son Pepin (aka "Pepin of Italy") resided in Verona and a large Benedictine monastery grew all around the church. When the Magyars invaded Italy in the early 10th century, the church got severely damaged, but the relics were not harmed, as they had been taken out and were hidden. In 967, a new church was built with the patronage of Otto I. On January 3, 1117, the church was damaged by an earthquake, that ruined so many buildings in Northern Italy. The church was restored and got enlarged in 1138. This statue of San Zeno is placed in the left aisle. San Zeno seated on a throne (cathedra) has all insignia of a bishop, but the crosier is as well a fishing rod. This refers to the legendary time, when the saint lived as a hermit on the banks of the Adige.