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Description
A short walk up from the Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence brings the visitor to the square in front of San Miniato al Monte, with another superb view over the city. The church and monastery provide very good examples of the Romanesque Tuscan architecture of the late 11th and 12th centuries, showing the closeness of the links to Classical Roman in its exterior and interior.

The name commemorates St Minias, who died a martyr in Florence around 250 A.D.. The monastery church was built over his grave, probably around 1018 or 1013. It was not actually completed until the early 13th century and originally belonged to Benedictine nuns, but between 1373 and 1552 was used by Olivetan monks, as it is today.
Hobbies & Activities category: Architecture - Romanesque;  Christian sites
Attractions within San Miniato al Monte

Bishops Palace

The massive Palazzo dei Vescovi, to the right of the church, was begun by Bishop Andrea dei Mozzi in 1295 and completed by his successor Antonio d'Orso in 1320. It served the Bishops of Florence as
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Campanile

After the old Campanile collapsed in 1499 a new one was begun in 1518 but never entirely completed. In the troubled times of the early 16th century it served the Florentines, including Michelangelo, as defense against the troops of the Emperor.

Cappella del Cardinale di Portogallo

The chapel of the Cardinal of Portugal (Cappella del Cardinale di Portogallo), on the left aisle, was commissioned by the Portuguese King Alfons V as a monument to his nephew, and built by Manetti
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Cappella del Crocifisso

Michelozzo's barrel-vaulted Cappella del Crocifizzo (1448) in the nave was commissioned by Piero de Medici. On the back wall is an altarpiece by Agnolo Gaddi (ca. 1396) showing scenes from the
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Cimitero delle Porte Sante

Work on the cemetery, the Cimitero delle Porte Sante, was begun in 1857 in accordance with the plans of Nicola Matas, and it is the burial ground for many famous people from the late 19th century.

Crypt

Steps on the right and left of the Capella del Crocifisso lead down into the hall crypt which has seven aisles with groin vaults and frescoes by Taddeo Gaddi depicting Saints and Prophets.

Exterior

The gleaming white and green facade (ca. 1100), with its triangular gable, is clad with marble panels which, with the great Romanesque-Roman arches, articulate the facade in geometric patterns of
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Interior

The monastery church's impressive interior is of unusually harmonious proportions, with its decorative wall inlay, and takes the form of an early Christian basilica with alternating columns and
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Presbytery and Apse

The late 12th century marble pulpit and choir screen, rich with decoration, are among the late Romanesque highlights of the church.

The mosaic in the apse of Christ Pantocrator flanked by the
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Sacristy

The sacristy, reached from the right hand side below the apse, contains Spinello Aretino's masterpiece, his "Life of St Benedict" (post 1387). A doorway in the sacristy leads to the cloister with frescoes by Andrea del Castagno and Paolo Uccello.
Do-It-Yourself Tours
Address
San Miniato al Monte
Monte alle Croci
I-50100 Florence
Italy
Hours
April 1 to October 14
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open8:008:008:008:008:008:008:00
Closed19:3019:3019:3019:3019:3019:3019:30
October 15 to March 31
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open8:008:008:008:008:008:008:00
Closed13:0013:0013:0013:0013:0013:0013:00
Open14:3014:3014:3014:3014:3014:3014:30
Closed18:0018:0018:0018:0018:0018:0018:00
Cost
FREE
Transit
Bus: 13.
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