The dark grey shadow of a wooden crucifix is projected by interior lighting on to the apse ceiling of the early 13th century Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta (Church of St Mary of the Assumption) in Piazza Roma, Monteriggioni, Tuscany, Italy. The head of Jesus, surmounted by a cruciform halo, tilts to one side in his agony on the cross.
Monteriggioni, Tuscany, Italy: a dark shadow of the Crucifixion ... interior lighting throws the grey silhouette of a wooden crucifix on to the cross vault over the scarsella or small apse at the east end of the nave in the early 13th century Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta (Church of St Mary of the Assumption) in Piazza Roma. The agony experienced by Jesus on the cross is expressed by the tilt of his head, surmounted by a cruciform halo. The scarsella dates from the first phase of the church's construction. Building began soon after Monteriggioni was founded as a hilltop citadel in 1213 by the city of Siena. It was built in late Romanesque style with a plain facade and a barrel-vaulted nave. The campanile or bell tower dates from the 18th century, but was constructed from ancient materials. In June 1235, delegates representing Siena and Poggibonsi met inside the church to agree the terms of a peace agreement with Florence, the other major Tuscan city state with which Siena fought for supremacy throughout the medieval period. Other artworks and fittings inside the church include two 15th century tabernacles, a painting of the Madonna by the 14th century Sienese painter Lippo Vanni, a bell donated by Siena in 1298 and a wooden choir dating from the 16th century.
Size: 3762px × 2508px
Location: Monteriggioni, Tuscany, Italy
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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