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The series of eight large Flemish
tapestries from Brussels, which were once kept in the
church, are renowned. After undergoing extensive
restoration they have been on display in the Museo degli
Arazzi since 1984 (entrance from the rear of the church,
near the main apse). The tapestries, which were woven
around 1565-70, deal with themes from the Jewish War
which ended with the destruction of Jerusalem by the
Romans in 70 A.D.: first tapestry: Josephus Flavius,
defender of Giopata, leaves the grotto where he has
sought refuge after the conquest of the city by
Vespasian. second tapestry: Agrippa, King of Tiberia,
goes to Vespasian to speak in favor of his city. third
tapestry: Vespasian is named Emperor by the soldiers
after the death of Nero. fourth tapestry: The Emperor
Vespasian receives a gift from the Syrian king. fifth
tapestry: Vespasian has Josephus Flavius set free from
his chains. sixth tapestry: fight between the Roman
Priscus and the Jew Jonas. seventh tapestry: Titus, the
son of Vespasian, receives an important present: two
candle-stands and the Holy Scriptures for the resumption
of services in the temple of Jerusalem. eighth tapestry:
Titus brings a sacrifice to Jahve, the God of the Jews.
These sumptious tapestries were
originally in the possession of the Archbishop Antonio
Lombardo of Messina, who was born in Marsala and who
twice visited Madrid as a member of a diplomatic mission
and received them as gifts from King Philip II. He
bequeathed them to the city of his birth, Marsala, in
the Chiesa Madre of which he was buried in 1596.
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CLICK ON
IMAGES FOR LARGER VIEW
FIRST TAPESTRY
Giuseppe Flavio,
defender of Giodapata, exits from the cove
where it had been sheltered, after the fall
she city to work of Vespasiano.
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SECOND
TAPESTRY
Agrippa , king
of Tiberiade, perora the cause of the
threatened city of destruction of forehead
to Vespasiano. |
| THIRD
TAPESTRY -
Vespasiano is
induced to accept the nomination to emperor
decretatagli from the soldiers to the dead
women of Nerone.
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FOURTH
TAPESTRY -
Vespasiano
emperor receives the homage of the governor
of Syria. |
| FIFTH
TAPESTRY -
Vespasiano
makes to free Giuseppe Flavio from the
chains |
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SIXTH
TAPESTRY -
Combat between the giudeo Gionata and the
Prisco Roman |
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SEVENTH TAPESTRY
-
the
clergyman Jesus di
Nabuth offers to Tito, son of Vespasiano,
two candlesticks and the sacred book for the
resumption of the cult in the tempio of
Gerusalemme. |
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EIGHT
TAPESTRY -
Sacrifice of Tito to Javeh, God of the
Giudei |
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