Stone – Haiku 2024 #ThursdayDoors

Posted bySuzette BenjaminPosted inPoetry, Thursday DoorsTags:
Basilica Saint Andrew (Sant’Andrea) in Vercelli, Piedmont, Italy © Alessandro Mascheroni | Dreamstime.com

harvesting the best

in worldly stone; its builder—

The cornerstone

*

Built by an unknown architect (according to some experts), the Basilica of Saint Andrew (Sant’Andrea) in Vercelli, Piedmont, Italy (1224 A.D.), boasts one of the most elaborate and posh façades in Northern Italy.

It features a blend of construction materials: green stone sourced from Pralungo, Calcarenite brought in from Monferrato, and Serpentine from Valsolda. These, combined with terra cotta walls and columns add to the Gothic and Romanesque architectural finery, particularly evident in the colorful central portal framing **the featured doors. An image is below:

Main Entrance Right Side Door, Basilica Sant`Andrea (St. Andrew), Vercelli Italy. Image credit: © Claudio Giovanni Colombo | Dreamstime

Trivia #1: Vercelli is home to the world’s first publicly funded university, established in 1228, now part of the Università del Piemonte Orientale. (Note however: the world’s first university is the University of Bologna.)

Trivia #2: Cardinal Guala Bicchieri, who laid the cornerstone of the Basilica and was its largest financial supporter, played a key role in England. He was one of the signatories and supervisors of the Magna Carta (June 15, 1215), a foundational document for civil liberties in the UK and a precursor to the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution.

*Fun fact: Vercelli and the Po Valley in Piedmont, Italy are renowned for producing Italian rice varieties such as Maratelli, Mundi, Merlano, and Vercelli.

Flying Buttresses, Basilica Sant’Andrew (Sant’Andrea) in Vercelli, Piedmont, Italy. Image credit: © Claudio Giovanni Colombo | Dreamstime

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Published by Suzette Benjamin

Positive thinker, inspirational, writer, faith

55 thoughts on “Stone – Haiku 2024 #ThursdayDoors”

  4. Pingback: Stone – Haiku 2024 #ThursdayDoors | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

  5. These (images and your haiku) are beautiful, Suzette. I’m trying to imagine the conversation when (whoever he was) the architect mention green stone from Pralungo. “Do you know how far away Pralungo is? How are we supposed to bring stone from there? “

    It’s scary to think about the fact that the Magna Carta had been around for 600 years, but we had to fight one of the bloodiest wars in history before reaching the same conclusion.

    I hope you have a great day and a good weekend ahead.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Dan. The reply to that questions regarding bringing in green stone must have had a ‘colorful’ worded response at first..fortunately it all turned out okay for the facade.
      Yes well said about the Magna Carta, it is sad indeed how much cost (in lives) was paid to arrive at the same liberties.

      Thank you for the best wishes for the day and weekend. Same to you.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes Kerfe well spotted. The octagonal lantern tower (red terracotta stone) marks the internal crossing of the naves and transept. It was an original belfry.. a role which is now performed by a separate bell tower structure to the right of the Basilica (its fourth tower).
      I agree about the serene nature of the space…not hurried was the vibe I got from the photos.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Thanks for the tidbit about the world’s first public institution. My career has been in public higher education so that is particularly fascinating to me. I always thought it was Bologna, which as you note above was simply the world’s first, not the first public. And beautiful pastel, earthy tones on the cathedral. They provide such great perspective and contrast for the door in the middle.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You are welcome. I am very happy to hear the information was of interest. I agree that the doors are nicely underscored (dare I say) by the colorful lines of stone. Thank you for your wonderful comments. Have a lovely weekend! Cheers.

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  15. Pingback: Stone – Haiku 2024 #ThursdayDoors – ADVERTISING OPERATIONS

  17. Like so many of these ancient churches, it seems to say “I dare you not to notice me!” What a beauty! Even the mere conception of such a building is mind-boggling, let alone the constructing of it. I liked your use of “cornerstone” — a many-layered word.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, well said Maureen. There is an element of elegance that just invites the visitor in to taking a closer look. Thank you for noting the layers in the word “cornerstone.” Have a wonderful day. Cheers.

      Liked by 1 person

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