Located near Piazzale Michelangelo, in one of the highest spots in the city of Florence, Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte is a Romanesque basilica. It was built at the beginning of 1015 on the same ground where Saint Minias, a Christian martyr, was buried. Because of its height, the façade of this Church is pretty much visible from all points of the city of Florence but, unluckily, this basilica is a little underrated, as not many tourists know about it and take the time to visit it.
Let’s find out something more about Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte and why it’s worth a visit!
The rich history of Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte
As said before, Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte was built in honor of St. Minias, an Armenian prince that lived in Rome as he was part of the army of Emperor Decius. He was condemned to death by the Emperor after he became a hermit. Legend says that he was thrown into an Amphitheatre with a panther but, apparently, the animal refused to eat him. Because of this, the Emperor chose to behead St. Minias.
In 1013, Bishop Alibrando, along with Emperor Henry II, started building the Church we see today. You may notice that next to the Church, there’s an adjoining monastery. This monastery used to be Benedictine, then it became the property of the Cluniacs community and lastly, the Olivetans.
Exploring the Interior of the Romanesque Basilica
The interior of this Church is decorated with mosaics in Byzantine style. One of the most particular things about this Church is that it presents an early adaptation of a raised choir placed on a crypt. The interior of this basilica also presents a patterned floor that was apparently created in 1207.
The Fascinating Façade of Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte
One of the most interesting aspects of Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte is its façade. It apparently was made in 1090 and it’s obviously in Romanesque style. The bottom of it was decorated with alternate patterns of white, green and black marble. The initial plan was to make the whole façade like this but, apparently, this was not possible due to the lack of funds. Because of this, the upper part of this façade remained uncompleted for a long time, until someone funded the work.
A Must-Visit Spot in Florence
If you happen to be in Florence, make sure you don’t miss out on visiting Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte. This beautiful Church is filled with great art and history and we’re sure you won’t leave disappointed! If you want to get to know more about the city of Florence and Italy in general, check out our other blogs and book a Florence Tour for the best experience possible!
