ITALY - Longobards in Italy. Places of the Power (568-774 A.D.)

"The Longobards in Italy, Places of Power, 568 - 774 A.D. comprises seven groups of important buildings (including fortresses, churches, and monasteries) throughout the Italian Peninsula. They testify to the high achievement of the Lombards, who migrated from northern Europe and developed their own specific culture in Italy where they ruled over vast territories in the 6th to 8th centuries. The Lombards synthesis of architectural styles marked the transition from Antiquity to the European Middle Ages, drawing on the heritage of Ancient Rome, Christian spirituality, Byzantine influence and Germanic northern Europe. The serial property testifies to the Lombards' major role in the spiritual and cultural development of Medieval European Christianity, notably by bolstering the monastic movement." -http://whc.unesco.org/

Postcard 1: CIVIDALE DEL FRUILI: The Tempietto Longobardo

"This is a very small temple built by the Longobards in Cividale,

10 kms away from Udine, my town. Tempietto means 'small temple'", shares Cristina...

Thank you so much Cristina for this wonderful postcard with wonderful stamps! ^-^

Postcard 2: BRECIA: The Capitolium in the monumental area of the Roman forum.

"The Capitolium was an ancient Roman Temple, built by the Emperor Vespasiano

in 73 A.D. It was destroyed by a fire and during the middle age, it was covered by a hill.

It's one of the most important Roman Sites in the north of Italy..", shares Marina.

Thank you so much Marina for this wonderful postcard! ^-^

The 7 Groups of Important Buildings Include:

1. Cividale del Friuli (Province of Udine)

The Gastaldaga area and the Episcopal complex

- The façade of the Cathedral.

- Church of Santa Maria in Valle in the Gastaldaga area.

- The Tempietto Longobardo.

- The palladian Palazzo Pretorio in the Episcopal complex.

2. Brescia

The monumental area with the monastic complex of San Salvatore-Santa Giulia

- The Capitolium in the monumental area of the Roman forum.

- Basilica of San Salvatore.

- Church of Santa Maria in Solario.

- The nun's choir of the monastery of San Salvatore-Santa Giulia.

3. Castelseprio (Province of Varese)

The castrum with the Torba Tower and the church outside the walls, "Santa Maria foris portas"

- The Torba Tower.

- Remains of the basilica of San Giovanni Evangelista.

- Church of Santa Maria foris portas.

- Santa Maria foris portas, detail of the frescoes.

4. Spoleto (Province of Perugia)

The Basilica of San Salvatore

- The façade of the basilica of San Salvatore.

- Detail of the portal.

- Internal view of the basilica.

- The presbitery.

5. Campello sul Clitunno (Province of Perugia)

The Clitunno Tempietto

- The façade of the Clitunno Tempietto.

- Lateral view of the Tempietto.

- External view of the apse.

- Internal view of the apse.

6. Benevento

- The Santa Sofia complex.

- The portal of the church.

- Internal view of the church.

- Detail of the frescoes, with theAnnunciation of Zacharias.

7. Monte Sant'Angelo (Province of Foggia)

- The Sanctuary of San Michele.

- Statue of Saint Michael overlooking the entrance of the sanctuary.

- The octagonal tower (campanile) of the sanctuary.

- The cave when appeared the Archangel Michael.