On a recent trip to Florence I went up to the Piazza Michelangelo high above gorgeous Florence. From here it is possible to enjoy spectacular views over the city.
You can really appreciate the size and grandeur of the Duomo in Florence from a distance.
The Ponte Vecchio looks great from above as well.
If you keep walking a little further uphill from the Piazza you come to the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte.
There are a few steps to climb but it is worth the effort.
The beautiful facade has golden mosaics in the Byzantine style set in a stark geometric pattern. Watching over from the top is the bronze eagle of the Calimala Art Guild, wool merchants who were patrons of the church…an early form of advertising.
The oldest record of the church dates back to 783AD in a Charlemagne document. In 1018 the Florentine bishop Ildebrando decided to construct a new basilica over the tumble down ruins. It was built in the Romanesque style, thought to be a more fitting place to preserve the relics of San Miniato which the bishop found under the “holy gate” at the front of the church. Legend tells that the heroic Armenian soldier, San Miniato, was beheaded by Roman soldiers on the banks of the Arno because of his faith in Christ. He picked up his severed head and took himself up the hill to be buried….a likely story. Anyway, the church is very grand and a fitting tribute to the brave soldier.
The interior is spectacular from floor to ceiling.
The beautiful carpet of marble was made in 1207.
The ceiling has painted wooden beams.
There are lovely paintings and frescoes throughout the church.
There is a crypt where the relics of San Miniato are now buried.
The Apse is unusually on an upper level reached via 2 stairways on either side of the church. San Miniato is represented in 13th century mosaics.
The presbytery to the right of the Apse is especially lovely.
The Chapel of the Cardinal of Portugal was built between 1461 and 1466 to house the body of a young clergyman. He rests under the gaze of the Virgin Mary with the child Jesus sculpted by Antonio and Bernardo Rossellino.
To the side and the back of the church is a beautiful cemetery.
It is pity the residents don’t get to enjoy the view.
Some tombs are very elaborate.
And some are much more simple.
Be sure to walk that little bit further on from Piazza Michelangelo to see this lovely church. At 5.30pm every day there is a celebration of Vespers and Eucharist with Gregorian chant.
http://www.abbaziasanminiato.it