Whats Romanesque?
Romanesque means Roman like and is applied in the early 19th century to describe the European architecture of the 11th and 12th centuries.
Cathedral Complex of Pisa
Cathedral
this is one of the most beautiful squares in the whole of Italy, housing as it does the Cathedral, the Leaning Tower, the Baptistery and the Cemetery.
The Cathedral has been identified as the best example of Pisan Romanesque style. Work was begun in 1064 by the architect Buscheto di Giovanni Giudice and completed in the 12th century with the facade by Rainaldo with the five rows of columns and three bronze doors (depicting stories from the lives of Our Lady and Our Lord). The sides and the transept are embellished with a decorative strip with roses and lozenges. Inside are paintings from between the 16th and 19th centuries, and – at the far end of the nave – the famous octagonal pulpit by Giovanni Pisano, one of the most important and complex works of art during the Gothic period in Italy.
Baptistery:
a circular building in Romanesque style, with an eight-faced pyramidal dome. Work was begun in 1152 by Diotisalvi, continued in the 13th century by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, and finished in the 14th century by Cellino di Nese. It has four entrances, the most notable of which is the one in front of the Cathedral, with its sculptures from the Pisan school as its epitome. Inside are the pergamo by Nicola Pisano, the first work of art from the Italian Gothic, decorated with reliefs representing the Nativity, Epiphany, the Presentation at the Temple, the Crucifixion, and the Day of Judgement, in addition to figures representing the Prophets and the Virtues.
The Great Wonder:
Campanile or Leaning Tower
The Cemetery:
The square's outline is marked off by a rectangular marble wall begun in 1277; it was destroyed by American bombing in 1944, after which delicate restoration work began. The portico walls were covered in frescoes, some of which have been lost forever, and others detached to preserve them all the better.
What i like?
the leaning tower of pisa was no doubt a great wonder of the world. the height and the interesting tilt always caught my attention and i thought to research a bit on it and add it to my blog.
The square main portal bears interesting reliefs by an unknown artist of the 13th century. The left side depicts the Labors of the Months while the right side portrays the Apostles (in pairs), the Harrowing of Hell, and King David.
The baptistery is renowned for its perfect acoustics - choir concerts held inside can be heard from miles away. You can test the acoustics by arriving when it is least crowded (such as first thing in the morning), getting as close to the center as possible and sounding a loud note - it will echo around the room as it fades.
The Great Wonder:
Campanile or Leaning Tower
Work on the Campanile or Leaning Tower was begun in 1173, and suspended due to subsidence (which made it lean), then taken up again by Giovanni di Simone.
The structure is a cylindrical tower, with closed arches in the lower part, then six floors with loggias and a smaller bell compartment.
Inside, a spiral staircase unwinds, with 294 steps, towards the top.
the tower of Pisa was also among the seven wonders of the world because of its unique inclination of 21 feet towards a side and it still stands.
The structure is a cylindrical tower, with closed arches in the lower part, then six floors with loggias and a smaller bell compartment.
Inside, a spiral staircase unwinds, with 294 steps, towards the top.
the tower of Pisa was also among the seven wonders of the world because of its unique inclination of 21 feet towards a side and it still stands.
The square's outline is marked off by a rectangular marble wall begun in 1277; it was destroyed by American bombing in 1944, after which delicate restoration work began. The portico walls were covered in frescoes, some of which have been lost forever, and others detached to preserve them all the better.
What i like?
the leaning tower of pisa was no doubt a great wonder of the world. the height and the interesting tilt always caught my attention and i thought to research a bit on it and add it to my blog.
