- Mont Blanc
First view of Mont Blanc when arriving from Aosta Valley. - Mausoleum of Theoderic
Mausoleum of Theoderic. The Ostrogothic king Theoderic moved the capital to Ravenna and died here in 526. - Mausoleum of Theoderic
The top of the mausoleum has 12 'ears' that were needed to lift the gigantic dome, decorated with the apostles' names. - Mausoleum of Theoderic
The top floor of the mausoleum has some outside decoration, probably Gothic. Not Gothic as Gothic but Gothic as of Goths. - Mausoleum of Theoderic
A cross was added later to the gigantic dome. - The Arian Baptistery
Another apostle with a very unusual beard - or rather mustache and sideburns. This could be Ostrogothic fashion (it certainly isn't Roman). - The Arian Baptistery
They look very much alike, but the hair and beards are different. So in principle, one could tell them apart. - The Arian Baptistery
One of the younger apostles. - The Arian Baptistery
Could be Saint Andrew. - The Orthodox Baptistery
The next circle has four Gospels on altars and four empty thrones with crosses and garments. - The Orthodox Baptistery
The next layer beneath the mosaics and between the windows are stucco reliefs of the 16 prophets of the Old testament. They used to be coloured! - The Orthodox Baptistery
All of the prophets carry either books or scrolls. I love how their feet are hanging over the frame. - The Orthodox Baptistery
Above the prophets' heads there are other biblical scenes. Here Christ on the throne is giving the cross to Saint Peter. The scallops in between symbolise the resurrection. - Museo Arcivescovile
A falling Erote, from the 1st century. - Museo Arcivescovile
Two Erotes around a basket full of fruits. - Museo Arcivescovile
This is ... something old. And pretty. - Museo Arcivescovile
Immortal peacocks on a sarcophagus. - Saint Andrew's Chapel
The ceiling in the narthex. Plenty of different birds, most notably the famous ducks, and the white lilies. - Saint Andrew's Chapel
Narthex of the chapel depicting Christ dressed as Roman emperor, standing on a lion and a snake (Psalm 91). His book says EGO SVM VIA VERITAS ET VITA - I am the way, the truth, the life. The top part is original mosaic, the bottom part is just painted! - Saint Andrew's Chapel
I told you it was fake. Just painted on the wall. Oh well. - Saint Andrew's Chapel
One of the angels on the ceiling. - Saint Andrew's Chapel
Saint Jacob - Saint Andrew's Chapel
Saint Mark's lion holding the thickest Gospel - despite Mark's Gospel being the shortest of all four. - Museo Arcivescovile
Paschal calendar from the 6th century used to determine the date of the Easter for about a hundred years in advance. - Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra
Dance of the Seasons (original), Winter. I don't quite know what the crown is about. - Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
Christ on the throne with four angels. Unfortunately not all is original, Christ's right side and the two right angels are 19th century reconstructions. - Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
A procession of 26 martyrs, including Saint Apollinaris, led by Saint Martin of Tours. Following are Pope Clements, Pope Sixtus, Saint Laurentius (in gold), Saint Hippolitus, Pope Cornelius (who is pointing towards), Saint Cyprian ... - Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
... Saints Iohannes, his brother Paulus, Vitalis (the basilica Vitalis), Gervasius, Protasius, Ursicinus, Namor, Felix ... - Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
Madonna and Child surrounded by four angels. Plenty of roses and lilies everywhere and the typical gold Byzantine background. - Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
Walking towards the Madonna is a procession of 22 virgins, led by the Three Magi. These are Saints Caecilia, Eulalia, Agnes (with a lamb), Agatha. - Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
6th century censorship. When the church became Orthodox, they 'erased' the Arians/Goths from the images, leaving only their praying hands. One can still see their halos above the curtains. - Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
... Saints Vincentius, Pancratius, Chrysogonus, Protus ... And these are not all of them. - Sant’Apollinare Nuovo
I love their fashion sense. They all wear Phrygian caps and - quite unusually -fancy trousers. - Col de Montgenèvre
A historically super-important pass, known already to Romans (including Julius Caesar). But, as you can guess, also a possible route for Hannibal. "Does not lie in sleep." - Basilica di San Francesco d'Assisi
Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi is easily one of my top five churches in the world. Especially the Lower Church. So so so beautiful. - Basilica di San Francesco d'Assisi
The entrance - nowadays the exit - of the church. - Piazza inferiore di San Francesco
- Cathedral
- Baptismal fountain
The fountain was made by Giovanni di Cecco and moved to the cloister in 1379. - Basilica Cateriniana San Domenico
I cannot find any data on this painting. Any ideas? - Abbazia di Sant'Antimo
Capital with Daniel and the Lions by Master von Cabestany (12th century). - San Francesco
This church is one of the few buildings from the times of Corsignano. - Giotto's Campanile
These hexagonal panels depict (from left): Gionitus (Astronomy), the Art of Building, Medicine, and Hunting. By Andrea Pisano and his workshop, and Nino Pisano. - Convent of San Domenico
Rebuilt and renovated several times, this is from the 16th century. - Ravenna
- Museo Arcivescovile
The Ivory Cathedra, Throne of Maximianus, the first archbishop of Ravenna (546-557). Made of ivory! - Museo Arcivescovile
Throne of Maximianus with his monogram M and X, showing Saint John the Baptist and the four evangelists. - Museo Arcivescovile
Throne of Maximianus, the old testament. Here Joseph is taken from the well and a goat is killed. - Museo Arcivescovile
Throne of Maximianus, old testament, showing the life of Joseph and his tricks with cups in the grain. - Museo Arcivescovile
More old testament scenes, depicting the story of Joseph. The central shows the reunion of Joseph and Jakob and the bottom the Pharaoh's dream. - Porto Azzurro
Via Nardelli Vincenzo - Chiessi
- Iron mines
- Via del Volterraio at night
And Scorpius underneath the Moon. - Elba aquarium
- Elba aquarium
A sawfish bone - Black & white
I love black & white photos directly from the nature. This is Centro Fondo Peronaz, towards Cadore. - Monte Coldai
- Torre di Valgrande
The ridge of Monte Civetta - Palafavera
Wonderful cross-country trails - Torre di Valgrande
Civetta ridge - Monte Civetta
- It's snowing
- Mailbox
Even the mailbox is made in traditional style! - Old houses in Mareson
- Fresh snow
- Snow!
Another black & white real-world photo! - Sulphur
Sulphur, Mine de Gyona, Sicily, Italy - Palazzo Ghini, Cesena
Coat of Arms of Pope Pius VI with Boreas the North Wind blowing on a lily, symbolizing his Swedish (northern) origin and the bending without breaking of the pure Church. - Blossoming Magnolia Grandiflora
In Cesena. - Magnolia Grandiflora
In Cesena. - Biblioteca Malatestiana, Cesena
You could read the books but were not allowed to borrow them. - Titus Lucretius Carus - De Rerum Natura (On the Nature of Things)
Biblioteca Malatestiana in Cesena. Unfortunately I don't know how old this copy is. - Neume initial
Biblioteca Malatestiana, Cesena. - Jabir ibn Aflah (Geber) - Correction of the Almagest
Original is from the 12th century. Biblioteca Malatestiana in Cesena. - Etymologiae by Isidore of Seville
Originally from the 7th century. This is a copy from the 8th century in Carolingian minuscule script. In Biblioteca Malatestiana in Cesena. - Via Fantaguzzi, Cesena
- Contrada Uberti, Cesena
- Andy Warhol Autoportrait by Blub
In Sansepolcro. - Pilgrimage by Giovanni del Leone
Giovanni del Leone - Pellegrinaggio della Compagnia del Crocifisso a Loreto in occasione della peste del 1523. Pilgrimage of the Compagnia del Crocifisso in Loreto during the plague in 1523. Sansepolcro in the background. In Museo Civico, Sansepolcro. - The Resurrection by Piero della Francesca
The Resurrection by Piero della Francesca. A detail. Museo Civico, Sansepolcro. - Andrea della Robbia workshop - Nativity
Andrea della Robbia workshop - Nativity and Adoration of the Shepherds from 1485. Glazed terracotta. Museo Civico, Sansepolcro. - Andrea della Robbia workshop - Nativity
Andrea della Robbia workshop - Nativity and Adoration of the Shepherds from 1485. Detail. Museo Civico, Sansepolcro. - Santi di Tito - Detail
Santi di Tito - Detail. Museo Civico, Sansepolcro. - Sansepolcro Cathedral
- Luca Pacioli, Sansepolcro.
Fra Luca Bartolomeo de Pacioli. The Father of Accounting and Bookkeeping was born in Sansepolcro. - Orvieto Cathedral
Orvieto Cathedral (1290-1590). On average a 14th century cathedral, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. In rain. - Zebra church: basalt and travertine stones
Orvieto. - Bas-relief - The Last Judgement
Installed around 1331. Orvieto cathedral. - Bas-relief - New Testament
Below it is Abraham sleeping. Orvieto cathedral. - The rose window by Orcagna
The rose window by Orcagna (1354-1380) Orvieto cathedral. - Interior of Orvieto cathedral
Only the bottom is made of black and white stones, the rest is painted black. Really? - Interior of Orvieto cathedral
The nave of Orvieto cathedral - Life of Mary by Ugolino di Prete Ilario
Life of Mary by Ugolino di Prete Ilario (1370), detail. Orvieto cathedral. - Life of Mary by Ugolino di Prete Ilario
Life of Mary by Ugolino di Prete Ilario (1370), detail. Orvieto cathedral. - San Brizio Chapel, Orvieto Cathedral
- Chapel of the Corporal, Orvieto Cathedral
Chapel of the Corporal, Orvieto Cathedral - Chapel of the Corporal, Orvieto Cathedral
Chapel of the Corporal, Orvieto Cathedral - Orvieto Cathedral
Orvieto Cathedral was built in 1290-1591. - Orvieto Cathedral
Zebra church - Orvieto Cathedral (1290-1591).