San Gimignano - Santa Maria Assunta

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into Egypt, from Jesus in the Temple to the Entry into Jerusalem and from the Last Supper to Pentecost.

As Vasari tells us in his life of Barna, the painter was killed by a fall from the scaffolding while painting the Crucifixion and the work was completed by his nephew and pupil Giovanni d'Asciano. This new Testament cycle has its counterpart in the left-hand aisle, where there is another great series of frescoes of Old Testament scenes by Bártolo di Fredi (c. 1356; much overpainted). At the end of the right-hand aisle is the Cappella di Santa Fina, in the purest Renaissance style, by Giuliano and Benedetto da Maiano (1468). St Fina (1283-53) is San Gimignano's Patron Saint, much revered as a miracle worker.

The altar, also by Benedetto da Maiano, was several times remodeled in Baroque style, but was restored to its original form (involving some new work) in 1881. On the altar is a tabernacle with relief decoration, and on top of this is an urn which until 1738 contained the remains of St Fina. Above is a "Madonna and Child flanked by two Angels". In the arcades on either side of the altar are frescoes by Doménico Ghirlandaio (1475) depicting the life and death of St Fina.