subject: Basilica di San Miniato - Florence [print this page] Basilica di San Miniato - Florence Basilica di San Miniato - Florence
When You book a guided tour in Florence, with us You'll realize how beautiful and magic this town is.
The basilica of San Miniato al Monte is one of the highest places of the city of Florence and is one of the best examples of Romanesque architecture in Tuscany. San Miniato was the first martyr of the city. It was probably a merchant or a greek Armenian prince on a pilgrimage to Rome. It is said that around 250, he arrived in Florence, began the life of a hermit and was beheaded during the anti-Christian persecution of Emperor Decius, then walked away from the place of execution with his head in his hand and reaching across the Arno the current bplace of the asilica, Mons Fiorentinus.
Later on this place was built a sanctuary and a chapel. The construction of the church began in 1013 under Bishop Alibrando and continued under Emperor Enrico II. At first the church was a Benedictine monastery, then joined the Cluniac congregation and then to Olivetan, who still lives there. The monks produce famous liquors, honey and herbal teas, which they sell in a shop adjacent to the church.
The facade of San Miniato is one of the masterpieces of Florentine Romanesque. It was begun in the eleventh century and is divided into two main groups.In 1523 the reconstruction of the bell tower collapsed in 1499 during some restoration work was entrusted to Baccio d'Agnolo. The work continued until 1527 when they were interrupted to prepare his defense of the city. During the siege of Florence in 1530, itwas used as a place for the artillery of the town and it was protected from enemy fire with mattresses by Michelangelo . Resumed work after the war, the bell tower was completed in 1535.
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