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DEDICATED TO MY WIFE THERESA JANE BROWN FOR HER BIRTHDAY (August 28, 2018).
SALAMIS ISLAND - ΣΑΛΑΜΙΝΑ
Taken on August 24, 2018.
THE MONASTERY OF PANAGIA FANEROMENI
ΙΕΡΑ ΜΟΝΗ ΦΑΝΕΡΩΜΕΝΗΣ
The Monastery is located on the northwestern side of the island. It was founded in 1682 by saint Laurent and his wife. It is richly decorated with icons and wall paintings dating from 1735 by the artist Georgios Markos. During the Revolution the monastery operated as a shelter for civilians, a hospital and as a place where the Greek fighters met. Nowadays, the church functions as a museum with historical relics.
Salamis is the largest Greek island in the Saronic Gulf. It is best known for the Battle of Salamis, the decisive naval victory of the allied Greek fleet, led by Themistocles, over the Persian Empire in 480 BC.
Thanassis Fournarakos - Θανάσης Φουρναράκος
Professional Photographer, Athens, Greece
(retired in 2011, born in 1946).
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
None of my images may be downloaded, copied, reproduced, manipulated or used on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit written permission. THANK YOU!
Dedicated to all those and myself, that have faced the dark tunnel and wondered, what will be waiting on the other side.
Dedicated to my neighbours - still shouting on the lower floor's balcony in the middle of the night. Love them!
Quando si scrive delle donne, bisogna intingere la penna nell'arcobaleno. (Denis Diderot). A tutte le donne....Auguri!!!!
The MiG-21 at the entrance of Campia Turzii was inaugurated in 2011 on the occasion of the Air Force Day. This LanceR number 807 was shut down in 2001.
The Aviator Heroes Monument was erected to honor the memory of the six aviators of the unit who lost their lives on missions since 1991. It is a monument dedicated to the Squadron.
Dedicated to my dear friend, Bo. :-)))
It's great seeing you posting your beautiful
piccies again Bo. :-))
This small Grade II*-listed medieval parish church is notable for being dedicated to The Head of St John the Baptist. The church has a very fine medieval rood screen dating from around 1500 AD. The church is fllled with beautiful wooden carvings by the Rev. Reginald Page, who was rector in the 1920s and 1930s. Some of his work can be seen on the pulpit and on the walls, where there is a finely carved memorial to those lost in the First World War.
~it is always painful to accept the painful reality...
take them as experiences... take them as something that enriches your life.. that makes you more and more complete as a human being
you don't need to take them as lessons.. or you don't need to forget them... make them parts of who you are and move on... embrace happiness and pain as they come along
after all, life is a series of experiences ALLAH has decided for each of us... life is beautiful ...~
The Hiena was a dedicated ground attack aircraft armed with four 30mm ENA-60 cannons on the nose and a powerful 37mm anti-tank gun below. It also had a defensive dorsal turret with two 20mm ENA-50 auto-cannons.
It was heavily armoured and could carry up to 5000kg of bombs, rockets and guided anti-tank missiles.
With the introduction of the new "Ragnarok" Stealth Ground Attack Aircraft, most "Hiena"s were converted into forward air controllers to support the troops on the ground.
This is another "old" plane that I made in 2014. Recently I bought 4kg of Tan and Reddish Brown parts at Skaerbaek (Denmark) so I´m pretty sure most of my next builds will have camouflages like the plane above.
For more pictures, please visit my Flickr page:
Eínon
This series is dedicated to my good friend Eric! Thanks for your support I appreciate you!
I took these photo's yesterday the first time in months actually since he was in Oregon & let me use his lens that I have taken a stroll around the neighborhood & felt like shooting anything..I took these for him...because I know he loves blue..but so many of them remind me of sunshine & hope even though the flowers look a bit sad..they seem to say..when the wind blows..& life hands you something not so pleasant to deal with..Dance & go with the flow tomorrow WILL be better than today!
So here is to being positive looking on the Sunshiney yellow & bright side of life!! :-)
Dedicated to my good flickr friend, Johnny Cooman, in Belgium.
The Kaisariani Monastery is an Eastern Orthodox Monastery, dedicated to the Presentation of the Virgin. The monastery was built in the 11th century over the ruins of a 5th-century Christian church, itself built over a temple. It is found on the foot of Mount Hymettus, Attica. Most of the frescoes are relatively late, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries; the distinctive bell tower is from the 19th century. It is still an active church.
Thanassis Fournarakos - Θανασης Φουρναρακος
Professional Photographer, retired.
Athens, Greece
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
None of my images may be downloaded, copied, reproduced, manipulated or used on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit written permission. THANK YOU!
This photograph has achieved the following highest awards:
* GALAXY HALL OF FAME
Dedicated to hb19… I know these letters represent to best of Flickr… if you have been
fortunate to receive a visit from this creative and talented “SHOOTER” you would
understand where I’m coming from… His drive is inspirational… His comments are
cherished… I don’t come close to his sky color or his signature style.
But my shot is to say…
Thank you for your friendship, “I TIP MY LENS” to this giant of a person…
TIO...
Dedicated to the greatest champion of all time : Muhammad Ali.
In the worst moments of my life, his attitude and documentaries like "When we were kings" were helping me to keep my head above water.
I wrote to my grandfather 6 months ago to tell him to fight disease with strength like Muhammad was. A few days later, he passed away.
I'm sad Muhammad Ali passed away too.
Hands-on, time for training, for boxing, for fighting.
"Fly like a butterfly, sting like a bee."
RIP Muhammad Ali.
Dedicated to www.flickr.com/photos/terribleminds/
Tks very muck fo the wonderful testimonial! :)))))))))))))))))))
Hightest #86
DEDICATED to my wife Theresa Jane Brown who is in Northern Italy on behalf of the ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCE as a Classical Ballet Examiner ( from April 12 until May 18, 2023).
Be strong, take care, proud of you, as always!
Me at the Axion Fitness Club in Chalandri, Attica, Greece.
Taken on May 12, 2023.
Thanassis Fournarakos - Θανάσης Φουρναράκος
Professional Photographer, Athens, Greece
(retired in 2011, born in 1946).
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
None of my images may be downloaded, copied, reproduced, manipulated or used on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit written permission. THANK YOU!
This photo is dedicated to a raccoon. Yup, that's right, a raccoon. Sorry, but he/she/it/hu has no flickr link, at least that I know of. Anyway, this is another spot that I had visited on my previous trip to San Francisco, so I knew this composition was up there. What I had not realized is that they have made it slightly more difficult to scale over the fence to get to the edge of the cliff that affords this view. By they I mean the well-meaning authorities who are probably trying to keep reckless photographers from plunging over the hill and landing splat on the road below. Nonetheless, I was determined, so I ended up in this spot once more.
As I was setting up my tripod I heard a rustling behind me. At first I thought it was Aaron trying to figure out where I had disappeared to, but then I figured it was moving much too quietly in the dark of the night to be Aaron. ;-) And lo, a raccoon popped out of the brush just on the other side of the fence that my back was to, about a foot and a half behind me. At first I figured I had been sitting so still he did not realize I was there so I rustled and made a little noise to alert him to my presence, which only seemed to fire his curiosity instead and he began pressing up against the fence stretching his paw through trying to reach my open bag behind me. I chuckled a little, he was a good 8 inches short but determined anyway. He stretched and pushed for a good five or seven minutes, and I went back to photographing, the two of us taking our individual pleasures from trying to satisfy our unique curiosities.
As a side note, as is usually the case with the situations I sometimes get myself in, it was much trickier actually getting back over the fence than the initial crossing. But I managed. The raccoon had ended up trundling back over to the rest of the group it seemed, where he enjoyed their attention for several moments.
I have one more Bay Bridge... well maybe two. We shall see how much longer my interest holds. In truth it has already waned, but I am sort of forcing myself to post several of the same topic just because of the value they have seen in a group. At least I think they do. The next shot will be this same spot but taken with the Fuji 617 pano camera.
Mama, she has taught me well
Told me when I's young
Son, your life's an open book
Don't close it 'fore it's done
The brightest flame burns quickest
That's what I heard her say
A son's heart's owed to mother
But I must find my way ~ Mama Said (MetallicA)
♥ FP and EXPLORE ♥ ....3/8/09.... Best Position #13.... Thank you Friends!
This photograph is dedicated to my friend Mike (MSG Mike) who wrote me such a wonderful testimony. Mike has a Nikon D90 like me and that's how we "met" on Flickr. He is a very talented photographer so be sure to stop by and visit Mike’s Photostream . Thank you for your wonderful friendship, Mike! ♥
This is the inside of a clematis bloom that I photographed in October, four days after I got my D90. I am beginning to see signs of new growth taking place on this vine, as spring is starting to reveal itself. It has been in the 80's this weekend.... strange after having freezing weather and snow flurries less than two weeks ago.
NOTE:THANK YOU FRIENDS for your continual support of my photography, your lovely comments and encouragement and most of all for your enduring friendship. I hope everyone is enjoying their Sunday and has a wonderful "blue" Monday, as well! ♥
DEDICATED TO MY WIFE THERESA JANE BROWN WHO IS IN SINGAPORE WHERE SHE WILL BE EXAMINING FOR A MONTH (MARCH 9 - APRIL 7, 2018) ON BEHALF OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCE.
Photo of me taken in Attica, Greece on March 11, 2018.
Thanassis Fournarakos - Θανάσης Φουρναράκος
Professional Photographer, Athens, Greece
(retired in 2011, born in 1946).
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
None of my images may be downloaded, copied, reproduced, manipulated or used on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit written permission. THANK YOU!
.
Dedicated to my most loyal and loveliest Flickr friend, Sheree, who is a true master of dark flowers: www.flickr.com/photos/97705796@N00/
In Explore, thank you!
The Jerónimos Monastery or Hieronymites Monastery is a former monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome near the Tagus river in the parish of Belém, in the Lisbon Municipality, Portugal; it was secularised on 28 December 1833 by state decree and its ownership transferred to the charitable institution, Real Casa Pia de Lisboa.
The monastery is one of the most prominent examples of the Portuguese Late Gothic Manueline style of architecture in Lisbon. It was classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the nearby Tower of Belém, in 1983.
The Jerónimos Monastery replaced the church formerly existing in the same place, which was dedicated to Santa Maria de Belém and where the monks of the military-religious Order of Christ provided assistance to seafarers in transit. The harbour of Praia do Restelo was an advantageous spot for mariners, with a safe anchorage and protection from the winds, sought after by ships entering the mouth of the Tagus. The existing structure was inaugurated on the orders of Manuel I (1469–1521) at the courts of Montemor o Velho in 1495, as a final resting-place for members of the House of Aviz, in his belief that an Iberian dynastic kingdom would rule after his death. In 1496, King Manuel petitioned the Holy See for permission to construct a monastery at the site. The Hermitage of Restelo (Ermida do Restelo), as the church was known, was already in disrepair when Vasco da Gama and his men spent the night in prayer there before departing on their expedition to India in 1497.
The construction of the monastery and church began on 6 January 1501, and was completed 100 years later. King Manuel originally funded the project with money obtained from the Vintena da Pimenta, a 5 percent tax on commerce from Africa and the Orient, equivalent to 70 kilograms of gold per year, with the exception of those taxes collected on the importation of pepper, cinnamon and cloves, which went directly to the Crown. With the influx of such riches, the architects were not limited to small-scale plans, and resources already prescribed for the Monastery of Batalha, including the Aviz pantheon, were redirected to the project in Belém.
Manuel I selected the religious order of Hieronymite monks to occupy the monastery, whose role it was to pray for the King's eternal soul and to provide spiritual assistance to navigators and sailors who departed from the port of Restelo to discover lands around the world. This the monks did for over four centuries until 1833, when the religious orders were dissolved and the monastery was abandoned.
The monastery was designed in a manner that later became known as Manueline: a richly ornate architectural style with complex sculptural themes incorporating maritime elements and objects discovered during naval expeditions, carved in limestone. Diogo de Boitaca, the architect, pioneered this style in the Monastery of Jesus in Setúbal. Boitaca was responsible for drawing the plans and contracting work on the monastery, the sacristy, and the refectory. For its construction he used calcário de lioz, a gold-coloured limestone quarried from Ajuda, the valley of Alcántara, Laveiras, Rio Seco and Tercena. Boitaca was succeeded by the Spaniard Juan de Castilho, who took charge of construction around 1517. Castilho gradually moved from the Manueline to the Spanish Plateresque style, an ornamentation that included lavish decorations suggesting the decorative features of silverware (plata). The construction came to a halt when King Manuel I died in 1521.
Several sculptors left their mark on this building: Nicolau Chanterene added depth with his Renaissance themes, while the architect Diogo de Torralva resumed construction of the monastery in 1550, adding the main chapel, the choir, and completing the two stories of the monastery, using only Renaissance motifs. Diogo de Torralva's work was continued in 1571 by Jérôme de Rouen (also called Jerónimo de Ruão) who added some classical elements. The construction stopped in 1580 with the union of Spain and Portugal, as the building of the Escorial in Spain was now draining away all the allocated funds.
On 16 July 1604, Philip of Spain (who ruled after the Iberian Union) made the monastery a royal funerary monument, prohibiting anyone but the royal family and the Hieronymite monks from entering the building. A new portal was constructed in 1625, as well as the cloister door, the house of the doorkeepers, a staircase and a hall that was the entrance to the upper choir designed by the royal architect Teodósio Frias and executed by the mason Diogo Vaz. In 1640, the prior Bento de Siqueira ordered construction of the monastery's library, where books owned by the Infante Luís (son of King Manuel I) and others linked to the religious order were deposited.
With the restoration of Portuguese Independence in 1640, the monastery regained much of its former importance, becoming the burial place for the royal pantheon; within its walls four of the eight children of John IV of Portugal were entombed: the Infante Teodósio (1634–1653), the Infanta Joana (1636–1653), King Afonso VI (1643–1683) and Catarina de Bragança (1638–1705). In 1682 the body of Cardinal Henrique was buried in the transept chapels. On 29 September 1855, the body of King Afonso VI was transported to the royal pantheon of the House of Braganza in the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora, along with his three brothers and sister.
In 1663, the Brotherhood of the Senhor dos Passos occupied the old Chapel of Santo António, which was redecorated with a gold tiled ceiling in 1669, while the staircase frescos with the heraldry of Saint Jerome were completed in 1770. The retables were completed in 1709 and 1711, valuable alfaias were presented to the religious order, and the sacristy was redecorated in 1713. The painter Henrique Ferreira was commissioned in 1720 to paint the Kings of Portugal: the regal series was placed in the Sala dos Reis (Hall of the Kings). Henrique Ferreira was also commissioned to complete a series of nativity paintings.
The monastery withstood the 1755 Lisbon earthquake without much damage: only the balustrade and part of the high choir were ruined, but they were quickly repaired. On 28 December 1833, the Jerónimos Monastery was secularised by state decree and its title transferred to the Real Casa Pia de Lisboa to serve as a parochial church for the new civil parish of Santa Maria de Belém. Many of the artworks and treasures were either transferred to the crown or lost during this period. It was vacant most of the time and its condition began to deteriorate.
Restoration work began on the monastery after 1860, starting with the southern façade under supervision of the architect Rafael Silva e Castro, and in 1898 under Domingos Parente da Silva. Although the cloister cistern, internal clerical cells and the kitchen were demolished at this time, three reconstruction projects proposed by architect J. Colson, including the introduction of revivalist neo-Manueline elements, failed to gain the required approval. In 1863, architect Valentim José Correia was hired by the ombudsman of the Casa Pia, Eugénio de Almeida, to reorganise the second storey of the old dormitory and design the windows (1863–1865). He was subsequently replaced by Samuel Barret, who constructed the towers in the extreme western end of the dormitories. Similarly and inexplicably, Barret was replaced by the Italian scenery designers Rambois and Cinatti, who had worked on the design of the São Carlos Theatre, to continue the remodelling within the monastery in 1867. Between 1867 and 1868, they profoundly altered the annex and façade of the Church, which then appeared as it does today. They demolished the gallery and Hall of the Kings, constructed the towers of the eastern dormitory, the rose window of the upper choir and substituted the pyramid-shaped roof of the bell tower with the mitre-shaped design. The remodelling was delayed by the 1878 collapse of the central dormitory. After 1884, Raymundo Valladas began to contribute, initiating in 1886 the restoration of the cloister and the Sala do Capítulo, including construction of the vaulted ceiling. The tomb of Alexandre Herculano, designed by Eduardo Augusto da Silva, was placed in the Sala do Capítulo in 1888.
To celebrate the 1898 fourth centenary of the arrival of Vasco da Gama in India, it was decided to restore the tomb of the explorer in 1894. The tombs of Vasco da Gama and Luís de Camões, carved by the sculptor Costa Mota, were placed in the southern lateral chapel. A year later the monastery received the remains of the poet João de Deus, later joined by the tombs of Almeida Garret (1902), Sidónio Pais (1918), Guerra Junqueiro (1923) and Teófilo Braga (1924).
The Minister of Public Works opened a competition to finish the annex, which would serve as the National Museum of Industry and Commerce (Museu Nacional da Indústria e Comércio), but the project was canceled in 1899, and the Ethnological Museum of Portugal was installed.
Further remodelling of the monastery was begun in 1898 subsequent to the work done by Parente da Silva in 1895 on the central annex, now simplified, as well as restoration of the cadeirals (the chairs used by the clergy in religious services), which were completed in 1924 by sculptor Costa Mota. In 1938 the organ in the high choir was dismantled at the same time that a series of stained-glass windows, designed by Abel Manta and executed by Ricardo Leone, were replaced in the southern façade.
As part of the celebrations marking the centenary of modern Portugal in 1939, yet more remodelling was completed in the monastery and tower. During these projects, the baldachin and tomb of Alexandre Herculano were dismantled and the cloister patio was paved. In 1940 the space in front of the monastery was redesigned for the Portuguese Exposition. The Casa Pia vacated the interior spaces of the cloister and the tombs of Camões and Vasco da Gama were transferred to the lower choir. A series of windows designed by Rebocho and executed by Alves Mendes were completed in 1950.
In 1951 the remains of president Óscar Carmona were entombed in the Sala do Capítulo. They would later be transported to the National Pantheon in 1966 to join the bodies of other former presidents and literary heroes of the country.
The Maritime Museum was inaugurated in the western wing of the monastery in 1963.
The church and the monastery, like the nearby Torre de Belém and Padrão dos Descobrimentos, symbolise the Portuguese Age of Discovery and are among the main tourist attractions of Lisbon. In 1983, UNESCO formally designated the Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belém as a World Heritage Site.
When Portugal joined the European Economic Community, the formal ceremonies were held in the cloister of the monument (1985).
Two major exhibitions took place at the monastery during the 1990s: 4 séculos de pintura, in 1992; and the exposition "Leonardo da Vinci – um homem à escala do mundo, um Mundo à escala do homem", in 1998 (which included the Leicester Codex, on temporary loan from Bill Gates).
At the end of the 20th century, remodelling continued with conservation, cleaning and restoration, including the main chapel in 1999 and the cloister in 1998–2002.
On 13 December 2007, the Treaty of Lisbon was signed at the monastery, laying down the basis for the reform of the European Union.
Dedicated to a great portrait photographer and contact, KB8WFH, who I believe stayed in the Wharton International Hotel (Yellow and green building on right) when he visited Nanning. Matt, I hope you like it!
The bridge over Nanhu (南胡 - South Lake) in Nanning, Guangxi province, China.
So nice to see you posting again my friend , hoping that you are feeling much better , i know you like Dahlias :))
Dedicated to my daughter who is forever and always telling stories and creating worlds from her imagination. She sends it all out into the whole world for all to enjoy.
Thank you for viewing my work, all images are edited and/or created using KML actions, textures, overlays and hand edits, if you'd like to see more you can follow me at the links below:
Dedicated to all my friends...
been so busy lately and missed you ...
and I missed the opportunity to visit your inspiring photos...
and to learn from ya'll...
Best wishes!
blogged: claudiamarchan.blogspot.com/2009/10/carino-mio-my-dearest...
descansa en paz cariño mio. : rest in peace my dearest.
Hippielight.com | Hippie's Gallery Dedicated to vintage "lava lamps" and other beautiful vintage lamps | The hippiest light of the "lava lamp"
Siena Cathedral is a medieval church in Siena, Italy, dedicated from its earliest days as a Roman Catholic Marian church, and now dedicated to the Assumption of Mary.
It was the episcopal seat of the Diocese of Siena, and from the 15th century that of the Archdiocese of Siena. It is now the seat of the Archdiocese of Siena-Colle di Val d'Elsa-Montalcino.
The cathedral was designed and completed between 1215 and 1263 on the site of an earlier structure. It has the form of a Latin cross with a slightly projecting transept, a dome and a bell tower. The dome rises from a hexagonal base with supporting columns. The dome was completed in 1264. The lantern atop the dome was added by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The bell tower has six bells, where the oldest one was cast in 1149. The nave is separated from the two aisles by semicircular arches. The exterior and interior are constructed of white and greenish-black marble in alternating stripes, with the addition of red marble on the façade. Black and white are the symbolic colors of Siena, etiologically linked to black and white horses of the legendary city's founders, Senius and Aschius. There are thirty-five statues of prophets and patriarchs grouped around the virgin. The finest Italian artists of that era completed works in the cathedral. These artists were Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, Donatello, Pinturicchio, Lorenzo Ghiberti, and Bernini.The origins of the first structure are obscure and shrouded in legend. There was a 9th-century church with the bishop's palace at the present location. In December 1058 a synod was held in this church resulting in the election of pope Nicholas II and the deposition of the antipope Benedict X.
In 1196, the cathedral masons’ guild, the Opera di Santa Maria, was put in charge of the construction of a new cathedral. Works were started with the north–south transept and it was planned to add the main, larger body of the cathedral later, but this enlargement was never accomplished.
By 1215 there were already daily masses said in the new church. There are records from 1226 onwards of the transport of black and white marble, probably for the construction of the façade and the bell tower. The vaults and the transept were constructed in 1259–1260. In 1259 Manuello di Ranieri and his son Parri carved some wooden choir stalls, which were replaced about 100 years later and have now disappeared. In 1264, Rosso Padellaio was paid for the copper sphere on top of the dome.
A second massive addition of the main body of the cathedral was planned in 1339. It would have more than doubled the size of the structure by means of an entirely new nave and two aisles ranged perpendicular to the existing nave and centered on the high altar. The construction was begun under the direction of Giovanni di Agostino, better known as a sculptor. Construction was halted by the Black Death in 1348. Basic errors in the construction were already evident by then, however, and the work was never resumed. The outer walls, remains of this extension, can now be seen to the south of the Duomo. The floor of the uncompleted nave now serves as a parking lot and museum, and, though unfinished, the remains are a testament to Sienese power, ambition, and artistic achievement. One of the walls can be climbed by narrow stairs for a high view of the city.
Underneath the choir of the Duomo, a narthex containing important late 13th-century frescoes (probably about 1280) was found and excavated in 1999–2003. The frescoes depict scenes from the Old Testament and the life of Christ. This was part of the entrance of an earlier church. But when the baptistry was built, this under-church was filled with rubble. The narthex is now open to the public.
The belltower has six bells, the oldest one was cast in 1149. The façade of Siena Cathedral is one of the most fascinating in all of Italy and certainly one of the most impressive features in Siena. Each of the cardinal points (west, east, north, and south) has its own distinct work; by far the most impressive of these is the west façade. Acting as the main entryway to the Duomo proper, it boasts three portals (see Portal (architecture)); the central one is capped by a bronze-work sun.
Built in two stages and combining elements of French Gothic, Tuscan Romanesque architecture, and Classical architecture, the west façade is a beautiful example of Sienese workmanship. Work began on the lower part around 1284. Built using polychrome marble, the work was overseen by Giovanni Pisano whose work on the Duomo's façade and the pulpit was influenced by his father Nicola Pisano.
The lower portion of the façade is designed from Giovanni's original plans. Built in Tuscan Romanesque style it emphasizes a horizontal unity of the area around the portals at the expense of the vertical bay divisions. The three portals, surmounted by lunettes, are based on Giovanni Pisano's original designs, as are much of the sculpture and orientation surrounding the entrances. The areas around and above the doors, as well as the columns between the portals, are richly decorated with acanthus scrolls, allegorical figures and biblical scenes.
Giovanni Pisano was able to oversee his work until about 1296 when he abruptly left Siena, reportedly over creative differences with the Opera del Duomo, the group that oversaw the construction and maintenance of the Siena cathedrals. Pisano's work on the lower façade was continued under the direction of Camaino di Crescentino, but a number of changes were made to the original plan. These included raising the façade due to the raising of the nave of the church and the installation of a larger rose window based on designs by Duccio di Buoninsegna and commissioned by the city of Siena. Work on the west façade came to an abrupt end in 1317 when the Opera del Duomo redirected all efforts to the east façade.
There is debate as to when work on the upper façade was completed. Most scholars agree that it was finished sometime between 1360 and 1370, though when it began again is not known. The work continued to use Pisano's plans for the façade with some adaptations under the direction of Giovanni di Cecco. Di Cecco preferred more elaborate designs, most likely inspired by the Orvieto Cathedral. The façade needed to be much higher than foreseen as the nave had, once again, been raised.
The changes were probably needed to accommodate the raised nave and di Cecco's more elaborate design scheme, heavily influenced by French Gothic architecture, which caused the apparent division of the upper portion of the cathedral. Most noticeably the pinnacles of the upper portion do not continue from the columns flanking the central portal as they normally would in such cathedrals. Instead, they are substantially offset, resulting in a vertical discontinuity which is uncommon in cathedrals of the time as it can lead to structural weakness. To adjust for this imbalance, the towers on each side of the cathedral were opened by adding windows, reducing the weight they needed to support. The upper portion also features heavy Gothic decoration, a marked contrast to the simple geometric designed common to Tuscan Romanesque architecture.
While most of the sculpture decorating the lower level of the lavish façade was sculpted by Giovanni Pisano and assistant depicting prophets, philosophers and apostles, the more Gothic statuary adorning the upper portion—including the half-length statues of the patriarchs in the niches around the rose window—are works of later, unattributed, sculptors. Almost all the statuary adorning the cathedral today are copies. The originals are kept in the Crypt of the Statues in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.
Three large mosaics on the gables of the façade were made in Venice in 1878. The large central mosaic, the Coronation of the Virgin, is the work of Luigi Mussini. The smaller mosaics on each side, Nativity of Jesus and Presentation of Mary in the Temple, were made by Alessandro Franchi.
The bronze central door is a recent addition to the cathedral, replacing the original wooden one. The large door, known as the Porta della Riconoscenza, was commissioned in 1946 near the end of the German occupation of Siena. Sculpted by Vico Consorti and cast by Enrico Manfrini, the scenes on the door represent the Glorification of the Virgin, Siena's patron saint.
On the left corner pier of the façade is a 14th-century inscription marking the grave of Giovanni Pisano. Next to the façade stands a column with a statue of the Contrade Lupa, a wolf breast-feeding Romulus and Remus. According to local legend Senius and Aschius, sons of Remus and founders of Siena, left Rome with the statue, stolen from the Temple of Apollo in Rome.
nypost.com/2020/05/11/california-man-famous-for-for-viral... Paul Vasquez, the California man who was propelled to internet fame after posting a viral video of his reaction to a double rainbow, died on Saturday. He was 57.