T is for Treasures

 The Monza Museum and Cathedral Treasure

The Iron crown of Lombardy, displayed in the Cathedral of Monza

Sapphire goblet, blue and gold  ( 6th century )

Basilica in Kevelaer, Germany

Gothic monstrance 19th century. 

Trash or Treasure?

Metamorfose

Photo Dirk Hanus

Thanks Andreas in Waldheim, Germany

Trash is treasure for Maarit Oksanen- Biarowsky,
Padasjoki, Finland

Her shop in Padasjoki.

M is for Milan and Monza

The Cathedral Il Duomo

It took 582 years to build Milan Cathedral.

The Duomo is decorated with an amazing number of beautifully sculpted statues and spires. There are more statues on this building than any other in the world, 3159 in total. These statues have been made and donated by numerous sculptors, they have been made in numerous styles - starting from the Gothic style and ending up with Art Deco from the 20th century.

 The Cathedral of Monza
The Duomo was built and developed on the site of Longobard oraclium, dated in 6th century AD and Queen Theodelinda dedicated it to John the Baptist. Acording to legnend of the Late Middle ages, Queen Theodelinda had made a vow to build a church in honor of God and saint John the Baptist and a celestial voice announced that the Holy Spirit would appear as dove to indicate the site for the constructions.
The Basilica of Monza was fully rebuilt after 1300 over the  ruins of Longobard church.

The Cathedral: Theodolinda's stories - Zavattari Brothers 1444 - detail

The Museum



Mother Hen with Chicks

The Museum and the Treasure of the Cathedral of Monza show one of the most important treasures in Europe.
17. - 20.5. 2003

Treasures of Bulgaria

Received on: 2 Mar, 2013

Distance: 2,103 km (1,307 miles)

Travel time: 21 days

Yoana, from Ruse, Bulgaria sent me this lovely card of Bulgarian treasures.

Thank you Yoana!

 Some examples of these treasures:

Mask

In the middle is a mask of  King Seutus III, the Thracian king who ruled in the fifth century BC. The mask depicts a full face with moustache and beard. It was found in 2004 near the village of Shipka, in the so-called Valley of Thracian Kings.

Rhyton

The rhyton was found near the town of  Panagyurishte in Sredna Gora mountain of central Bulgaria. The whole treasure consisted a phial and eight rhytons, one shaped like an amphora and the others like heads of women or animals. Dated to the turn of the fourth and third century BC, the find was sensational, not only for its weight in gold - over 6 kg, but also for the originality of its forms.

Lion and  Stag 

A lion with gilded mane attacks a stag whose legs are folded under the body is dated to the second half of the fourth century BC and proves the rich artistic life in the northern Thracian lands.