Firenze San Miniato al Monte 1

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Firenze
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San Miniato al Monte
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San Miniato al Monte (St. Miniatus on the
Mountain) is a basilica in Florence, central
Italy, standing atop one of the highest points in
the city. It has been described as one of the
finest Romanesque structures in Tuscany and one
of the most beautiful churches in Italy. There is
an adjoining Olivetan monastery, seen to the
right of the basilica when ascending the stairs.
St. Miniato or Minas was an Armenian prince
serving in the Roman army under Emperor
Decius. Basilica San Miniato al Monte se afla în
cel mai înalt punct din Floren?a (fiind situata
pe un deal), ?i a fost descrisa ca fiind cea mai
frumoasa structura romanica din Toscana ?i una
dintre cele mai frumoase biserici din Italia.
Pozi?ia sa ofera minunate priveli?i ale râului
Arno ?i ale centrului istoric, pâna departe la
Fiesole ?i peste dealuri. Prin? armean servind în
armata romana, Sfântul Miniato a fost primul
martir din Floren?a.
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The geometrically patterned marble façade was
probably begun in about 1090, although the upper
parts date from the 12th century or later,
financed by the Florentine Arte di Calimala
(cloth merchants guild)
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Arte di Calimala (cloth merchants guild), was
responsible for the churchs upkeep from 1288.
The eagle which crowns the façade was their
symbol. In 1499 the campanile collapsed and was
replaced in 1523, although it was never finished.
During the siege of Florence in 1530 it was
used as an artillery post by the defenders and
Michelangelo had it wrapped in mattresses to
protect it from enemy fire.
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According to tradition, the martyr St Miniatus,
who was suffered during the persecution of Decius
in the 3rd century, was buried on the hill where
the church bearing his name now stands
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The beautiful façade, of green and white marble
in the Tuscan manner, has a blind colonnade in
the lower register. The mosaic on the pediment
showing Christ in benediction between the Virgin
and St Miniatus dates from the beginnnig of the
13th century. The polychrome marble decoration of
the facade is also a feature of the interior,
dominated by the raised presbytery.
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The church, which is one of the masterpieces of
the Tuscan Romanesque, combines a basilical plan
of classical origin with typically romanesque
elements some of the capitals are Roman and
others are romanesque.
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The patterned pavement dates from 1207
The oldest decoration is the mosaics and the
marble inlay work, of which the most important is
the central part of the pavement. This area,
which retains its original decoration, shows
interesting figurative motifs, enriched with
symbolic significance. The beautiful Zodiac,
which is originally a pagan motif, here assumes a
Christian symbolic value, according to some, by
its subdivision into twelve signs which allude to
the twelve Apostles.
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Marble floor, slab depicting 9th ca. zodiac
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The area of the apse is also richly decorated,
with superb marble inlays on the altar, the
enclosure and the pulpit, and is dominated by the
beautiful mosaic bearing the date 1297
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The beautiful mosaic bearing the date 1297
depicts Christ in benediction between the Virgin,
Saint Miniatus, the symbols of the Evangelists
and the kneeling donor, and it is characterized
by a technique making use of strong chromatic
contrast.
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The centre of the nave is dominated by the
beautiful freestanding Cappella del Crocefisso
(Chapel of the Crucifix), designed by Michelozzo
in 1448 and decorated with panels long thought to
be painted by Agnolo Gaddi.
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Illuminated mosiac vaults in the nave of San
Miniato
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The panels on the altar begun by Agnolo Gaddi in
1394 and unfinished at the time of his death in
1396 represent Saint John Gualberto in an austere
black monk's cloak and Saint Miniatus in colorful
oriental attire. At the sides are scenes from the
Passion of Christ above, in the crown of the
arch, is the Ascension flanked by the
Annunciation, and in the predella, Mary and the
twelve apostles
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The paint ceiling restored
Aisle
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Aisle Frescoes Christ, St Miniatus, and Julian
and the Vierge by Jacopo da Firenze - 1409
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Paolo Schiavo The Madonna enthroned with the
Child and Saints Francis, Mark, John the Baptist,
John the Evangelist, James and Anthony Abbot,
fresco (1436).
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Romanesque pulpit (1207)
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Romanesque pulpit (1207)
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Text and Pictures Internet All copyrights belon
g to their respective owners Presentation
Sanda Foisoreanu
2013
Sound Cecilia Bartoli sings Domine
Deus (Antonio Vivaldi Gloria RV 589)