FLORENCE, TUSCANY, ITALY
BASILICA OF SAN MINIATO AL MONTE
FIRENZE
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FLORENCE, TUSCANY, ITALYBASILICA OF SAN MINIATO AL MONTEFIRENZE
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The Basilica of San Miniato al Monte rises on a hill to south-east of the historical center of Florence, near Piazzale Michelangelo. The church is dedicated to the protomartyr San Miniato, whose history date back to the persecutions put in existence around the 250 dC. from Decio emperor. Miniato, a Christian of Armenian origin, was beheaded outside the walls of Florence (in the zone of Porta alla Croce, Piazza Beccaria) in order to have professed his own faith, the legend narrates that San Miniato collected his own head and crossed the Arno went to the hill where he was buried and where now it's the church dedicated to him. The most ancient testimony of the existence of the church date back to the 783 aD. In the 11th century the bishop Ildebrando began the construction of the actual church, the works extended for beyond 200 years, in the annexed convent was installed a community of Benedictines monks. To the end of 13th century was built beside the church the palace know as Palace of the Bishops, it was the ancient summery residence of the Bishops of Florence, then it become Convent, Hospital and House of the Jesuits. Beginning from 1373 the monastery was granted to the olivetan monks. During 16th century with asserting of the medicean rule, the zone, being in a dominant position over the city, was transformed in fortress, the monks abandoned the monastery, but the church thanks to the cult of the population for San Miniato remained intact. The olivetan monks (from the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore in Siena province) returned only in the 19th century when also the monumental cemetary of the Porte Sante was built. This cemetary accommodates numerous chapels of the florentine bourgeoisie realized in liberty and art dèco styles. |
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The Basilica, is one of the masterpiece of the Romanesque in Tuscany, it joins the basilican system of classic derivation to the typically Romanesque elements. The facade in two colors of the church is covered with white and green marbles, in the characteristic Florentine Romanesque style of the 11th-13th century (similar to coeval Baptistry of San Giovanni), on the facade is a mosaic of 13th century representing Christ in throne between the Madonna and San Miniato, while on the top of the facade is placed a bronze eagle that represents the corporation of the merchants of the Art of the Wool (Art of Calimala) that from 13th century had the patronage on the church. |
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The visit of the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte continues: the inside.
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WHERE TO STAY IN FLORENCE:SEARCH for HOTELS and ACCOMMODATIONS IN FLORENCE (with guest reviews) |
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