San Miniato Attractions
San Miniato lies on high ground on the southern edge of the Arno Valley, 45km/28 mi east of Pisa.
History
Thanks to its excellent strategic situation the site of San Miniato was occupied in Roman times and later by the Lombards. Its name San Miniato al Tedesco (tedesco=German) reflects its connection with the German (Holy Roman) Empire; for in the Middle Ages it was an important Imperial stronghold, and in the reign of Otto I (936-973) it became the official residence of the Imperial Vicars. Frederick II (1212-50) had his counselor Pier delle Vigne imprisoned and blinded in the tower on top of the hill, as Dante relates in the "Divine Comedy" ("Inferno" 13). In the 14th century San Miniato came under Florentine control.
History
Thanks to its excellent strategic situation the site of San Miniato was occupied in Roman times and later by the Lombards. Its name San Miniato al Tedesco (tedesco=German) reflects its connection with the German (Holy Roman) Empire; for in the Middle Ages it was an important Imperial stronghold, and in the reign of Otto I (936-973) it became the official residence of the Imperial Vicars. Frederick II (1212-50) had his counselor Pier delle Vigne imprisoned and blinded in the tower on top of the hill, as Dante relates in the "Divine Comedy" ("Inferno" 13). In the 14th century San Miniato came under Florentine control.
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Duomo Santa Maria Assunta e San Genesio
This 12th C cathedral was renovated during the Baroque period and contains 16th C art work.
San Francesco
The Church of San Francesco in San Miniato, a massive brick structure, was built in 1276 on the site of an earlier church dedicated to St Miniatus. It was enlarged in the 15th century. The Palazzo Comunale, now the Town Hall, dates from the 14th century but has a modern facade. In the Council Chamber are frescoes of the school of Giotto (14th century).
The Town
In the Piazza del Pópolo is the Church of San Doménico (also called Santi Iácopo e Lucia de Forisportam), built in 1330, with a facade of unfaced stone. The aisleless church contains frescoes (c. 1700) on the life of St Dominic, also the tomb (1461) of a doctor, Giovanni Chellini, the work of Donatello and Rossellino. Near by is the Palazzo Vescovile (Bishop's Palace), built in the 13th century and used as the bishop's palace since 1622.
