One of the most beautiful churches in Florence (Michelangelo's favorite) has been under restoration during the past eighteen months. The repairs made to the facade, campanile and roof of the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte, which were covered in scaffolding and transparent plastic for most of that time, are now complete (May 2026). My faithful, intelligent and aestheticly sensitive readers can now once more have an unobstructed view of the facade of this wonderful church next time they are in Florence.
Basilica of San Miniato al Monte
The restoration was financed by Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan and cost 3.6 million euros - money well spent! The whole structure has been reinforced and sensors have been put in place to monitor any changes in the north side of the church where gradual structural movement has been detected in the past.
The Basilica of San Miniato al Monte should not be missed during your
visit to Florence. The Basilica is one of the most beautiful Romanesque
churches anywhere and its interior is even more spectacular than the facade, richly decorated with marble columns and, especially, mosaics. The mosaic in the bowl-shaped vault of the apse (ca.1260) portrays Christ the Pantocrator between Mary, St. Minias and the symbols of the four Evangelists. The figures stand out Byzantine-style against a gold background in a field populated with oriental birds (symbolizing souls).
The Basilica is situated on one of the highest locations in Florence, directly above Piazza Michelangelo. Although it can be reached on foot from central Florence in a reasonable time, it's better to take a bus (line 12 is usually the fastest).
More about the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte.
More about the churches, abbeys, monasteries and basilicas of Tuscany.
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Author: Anna Maria Baldini
