Basilica di Sant'Andrea, a photo from Vercelli, Piedmont

Photographer's Note

This is the cloister of the Basilica di Sant'Andrea in Vercelli in Piedmont North West Italy.

''The Basilica di Sant'Andrea is the church of a monastery in Vercelli, Piedmont, northern Italy, founded in 1219 by Cardinal Guala Bicchieri and completed in 1227. It represents an early example of Gothic architecture in Italy, inspired by Cistercian models and featuring Romanesque elements as well.

The basilica was built between 1219 and 1227 at the direction of Cardinal Guala Bicchieri, who had just returned from England where he had been papal legate. Bicchieri had received from King Henry III the perpetual rights to the income of Saint Andrew's Abbey in Chesterton, Cambridge. Thanks to this financial support, the cardinal was able to call to Vercelli some monks from Saint-Victor in Paris, giving them responsibility over the new abbey and the hospital to be built for the pilgrims who travelled the Via Francigena. The hospital was begun in 1224. Although the architect is unknown, it is presumed that the Gothic lines of the new edifice were introduced by the French clerics, who included abbot Thomas Gallus, previously a professor in the University of Paris. According to Italian art historian Giulio Carlo Argan, the architect could have been Benedetto Antelami. The style of the Romanesque elements connects the building to the architectural traditions of northern Italy and suggest the hand of an Italian master in the design.

Thanks to Bicchieri's diplomacy, the abbey was able to increase its possessions through donations and privileges from pope Honorius III and emperor Frederick II. Bicchieri died in Rome in 1227, the year in which the basilica was finished.
In the early 15th century a new bell tower was built, in a detached position, on the right side of the church. In the following century the cloister of the monastery was rebuilt, though the original small columns - in groups of four - were kept.

The complex was damaged during the Siege of Vercelli of 1617. During restorations carried out in 1818-1840, the scrinium (travelling case) of Guala Bicchieri was found in the building; it is now in the Civic Museum of Ancient Art in Turin. Other restorations took place in 1927 and 1955-1960.''

papagolf21, Budapestman, brianmcc, Schnappilic, baddori, tatadalou has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

lousat (57610) 2012-03-11 0:34

Ciao Ale,appena l'ho aperta mi sembrava il chiostro di Bernate,una architettura molto simile e gran scelta del pov per creare una large view ricca di dettagli,ottima qualita' nonostante la giornata nuvolosa.Buona Domenica,Luciano

papagolf21 (76515) 2012-03-11 0:44

Bonjour, cher ami Alessandro,
Très belle présentation de cette basilique avec ce jardin et ces arcades aux jolies colonnes.
Ambiance parfaitement restituée.
Un lieu qui respire calme et sérénité.
Amitiés.
Philippe

Royaldevon (17791) 2012-03-11 0:46

Ciao Alessandro,

Such a lovely place to photograph with the vibrant flowers creating f/g interest as a prelude to seeing the detailed cloisters of the monastery. Your symmetrical composition is most effective in emphasising the regularity of the arches and layout of the garden.
I wonder how you would feel about cropping to the top of the tiled roof and creating a much more panoramic photograph. For me, it works really well and consolidates the colour.

Have a lovely day,
Bev :-)

dkmurphys (36759) 2012-03-11 0:55

Ciao Alessandro,
A well captured interior yard with all those beautiful flowers. Nice calm mood, well taken.
Enjoy a lovely Sunday.

Daniel

besnard (48781) 2012-03-11 0:55

Bonjour Alessandro
Une bonne présentation de cette superbe architecture élégante et colorée. Beaucoup de sérénité dans ce lieu de recueillement.
Merci pour le partage et bon dimanche.
Nicole

JFS (32107) 2012-03-11 1:02

Ciao Alessandro,
What a nice presentation of this lovely corner of the Basilica! The colored flowers give a note of life to the austere brick architecture. Superb management of light.

Have a good Sunday!

Cheers,
Juan

Nicou (97637) 2012-03-11 1:21

Hello

Fantastique cpatage et image quel cadrage dans l'angle superbe image et cpatage a avec ces arches les buissons colorés superbe.

Merci et amitié

Nicou

jurek1951 (35765) 2012-03-11 1:32

Ciao Alesandro,
Really very nice your architecture photos this one is very sharp and very well composed.The lighting is fantastic.
Georg

Budapestman (82620) 2012-03-11 3:03

Hi Alessandro,
a beautiful architectural photo and I like the composition and the atmosphere, superb shot, Tfs! Have a nice Sunday! Kellemes vasárnapot kívánok!
György

peppe59 (14547) 2012-03-11 4:01

Ciao Alessandro,
molto interessante questa loggia della basilica, grande nitidezza che esalta ogni particolare.
ottimo scatto e buona domenica
peppe

brianmcc (5536) 2012-03-11 4:47

hi alessandro,
your viewpoint with the lovely red flowers in the froeground is superb. the symmetry of the picture is marvellous and creates a superb perspective. the fantastic stonework is displayed very nicely in your picture. fine detail and depth of field.
regards,
brian

siudzi (23857) 2012-03-11 5:18

Hi Alessandro,

This place is absolutely wonderful with its unique old design and architecture. Beautifully presented and composed with a perfect symmetry. Like it very much!

Regards,
Malgorzata

maria-v1981 (10403) 2012-03-11 5:42

Hi Alessandro,
A magnificent colourful composition. Wonderful architecture details and the wall textures are very beautiful. Qulaity work.
Have a great Sunday,
Warm regards,
Maria

Schnappilic (7927) 2012-03-11 7:34

Ciao Alessandro,

Splendid composition with the courtyard of the monastery. I like the colors and the architecture. Good presentation!

Buona domenica!

Ovidiu

baddori (18988) 2012-03-11 16:52

Alessandro .
Mi ripeto ..
Ci ho studiata ..la foto è una immersione nei ricordi giovanili ..in una luogo storico .
GF

emka (58110) 2012-03-11 23:59

Ciao Ales,

Nice cloister of the basilica. They are always wonderful places, very quiet. Pleasant composition with the flowers.
Warm regrads

MAlgo

jjcordier (62280) 2012-03-12 0:59

Alessandro
Belle photo de ce beau cloître fleuri et personne (heureusement!) pour troubler le calme et la quiétude du lieu.
Amicalement
JJ

Cricri (86391) 2012-03-12 12:40

Ciao Alessandro
Belle présentation du jardin avec les arcades du batiment, l'angle de prise, détails et couleurs, un lieu ou le calme est bien installer
Belle soirée
cricri

mauro61 (52527) 2012-03-13 5:06

ciao Alessandro ,
ben studiato il POV con i fiori in FG e il bel colonnato a chiudere sul fondo.
Luce sempre difficile all'interno di questi spazi, ma tu hai fatto benissimo.
buona giornata
maurizio

ciakgiak (30329) 2012-03-13 11:58

Ciao Alessandro,
I fiori al centro e gli archi che convergono esattamente verso di essi, fotografia ineccepibile sia dal punto di vista qualitativo che da quello qualitativo, con il grande pregio di mostrarci un vero gioiello di architettura.
Un caro saluto.
Giorgio

jemaflor (68867) 2012-03-15 0:23

Hi Alessandro,
Beautiful architecture well framed with a good symetrical result, nice complement with colourful flowers, good sharpness.

mesutilgim (67940) 2012-03-16 11:45

Hello Alessandro,
Very nice capture of this monastery court.
Perfect pov and nice symmetry.
A perfect TE entry enriched with many interestşng notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

abmdsudi (26215) 2012-03-16 22:45

Hi Alessandro
Nice capture, good pov and lay out with the bed of flowers leads in. The textures of the stoneworks are lovely, really sharp and well exposed in warm light. Superb contrasting colors, love every detail of this unique architecture, a very Mediterranean feel and an inviting shot. An intriguing historic spot that evokes the special atmosphere and charm. Great capture and well done
Best regards

Silvio1953 (98093) 2012-03-20 1:27

Ciao Alessandro, gran bella inquadratura del magnifico chiostro e del ben curato giardino, ottima nitidezza, magnifica luce e splendidi colori, bravo, ciao Silvio

tatadalou (3247) 2012-04-04 12:43

Ciao Alessandro,
Mi piace l'inquadratura simmetrica che sottolinea la regolarità delle colonne che circondano il chiostro. Piccoli ciuffi di fiore qui o là aggiungono un significativo sollievo in primo piano.
saluti,
Delphine