Firenze San Miniato al Monte 2

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Firenze
San Miniato al Monte
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San Miniato al Monte is, perhaps, the jewel in
the Florentine crown and the view, from the
little square in front of the church, more than
justifies the climb up to it.
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The present building dates from the 12th century,
but there was a church here, dedicated to San
Miniatus, as far back as the 8th century.
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The beautiful Basilica of San Miniato, the
favorite of Dante and Michelangelo, is located on
Monte alle Croci, a hill overlooking the city and
was originally the site of hermitage of Miniato
who took refuge here in prayer. According to
legend, San Miniatus was martyred in the middle
of the third century during the reign of the
Emperor Decius. The saint is supposed to have
been thrown to the lions, who graciously refused
to attack him. He was then beheaded, at which
point he lifted up his head and walked into the
mountains, where he died alone in his cave
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The choir raised on a platform above the large
crypt
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In the oldest part of the church, the crypt, the
alleged remains of Saint Miniato are preserved,
embedded in the altar. The environment is made
especially attractive by the presence of a forest
of less than 38 columns and the vault frescoes by
Taddeo Gaddi, all dimly lit by the light coming
from five small windows.
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A rare fresco, unfortunately damaged, depicting
the Archangel Raphael and Tobias. The Vespers,
are celebrated here every evening by the monks,
strictly in Gregorian chant
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The sacristy is a spacious room in Gothic style
with a large cross vault. There are splendid
frescoes painted between 1387 and 1390 by
Spinello Aretino whose work here is
characteristic of his style, after Giotto, where
he finds an equilibrium between the broad space
and the articulated composition of his picture
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The celing of the sacristy The Four Evangelists
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The life of the saint is taken from "Dialogues"
of Gregory the Great and from "Golden Legend" by
Jacopo da Varagine.
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The cycle of the scenes is illustrated in
chronological sequence almost like a film. (Cf.
the life of Saint Francis at Assisi by Giotto).
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Text and Pictures Internet All copyrights
belong to their respective owners Presentation
Sanda Foisoreanu
2013
Sound Cecilia Bartoli - Antonio
Caldara - Quel buon pastor son io