Italy Review
  • Home
    • Contact
    • Ischia Review
    • Sorrento Review
  • Things to see in Italy
    • Cities of Italy >
      • Major Cities of Italy >
        • Rome >
          • Things to see in Rome
        • Venice >
          • Things to see in Venice
        • Florence >
          • Things to see in Florence
        • Milan >
          • Things to see in Milan
        • Naples >
          • Things to see in Naples
        • Turin >
          • Things to see in Turin
        • Verona >
          • Things to see in Verona
        • Genoa
        • Bologna
        • Palermo
      • Beautiful Italian Cities >
        • Pisa >
          • Things to see in Pisa
        • Siena
        • Ravenna
        • Lecce
        • Mantova
        • Syracuse
        • Perugia
        • Pavia
        • Lucca
    • Towns and Villages of Italy >
      • Seaside Towns of Italy >
        • Sestri Levante
        • Vieste
        • Positano
        • Tropea
        • Sorrento
        • Cefalu
        • Amalfi
        • Polignano a Mare
      • Lakeside Towns of Italy >
        • Varenna
        • Orta San Giulio
        • Bellagio
        • Sirmione
        • Molveno
        • Trevignano Romano
        • Desenzano del Garda
      • Scenic Towns of Italy >
        • Alberobello
        • Bassano del Grappa
        • Sarzana
        • Susa
        • Brisighella
        • Grottammare
      • Hilltop Villages of Italy >
        • Castelluccio
        • Civita di Bagnoregio
        • Roccascalegna
        • Apricale
        • Muro Lucano
      • Historic Towns of Italy >
        • Matera
        • Albenga
        • Chioggia
        • Assisi
      • Hill Towns of Italy >
        • San Gimignano
        • Taormina
        • Ravello
      • Picturesque Villages of Italy >
        • Finalborgo
        • Rasiglia
      • Mountain Towns of Italy >
        • Bressanone
      • Vineyard Towns of Italy >
        • Barolo
      • Fishing Villages of Italy
      • Mural Towns of Italy
      • Spa Towns of Italy
      • Ghost Towns of Italy
      • I Borghi Piu Belli d'Italia
      • Orange Flag Towns of Italy
    • Italian Islands >
      • Phlegraean Islands >
        • Ischia
        • Procida
        • Nisida
        • Vivara
      • Capri
      • Tuscan Archipelago >
        • Elba >
          • Things to see in Elba >
            • Must See Elba
            • Best Beaches of Elba
          • Elba Travel >
            • How to get to Elba
            • Elba Ferry Tickets and Timetables
            • Buses in Elba
        • Giglio
        • Pianosa
        • Capraia (Tuscany)
        • Giannutri
      • Sicilian Islands >
        • Aeolian Islands >
          • Lipari
          • Salina
          • Panarea
          • Vulcano
          • Stromboli
          • Filicudi
          • Alicudi
        • Aegadian Islands >
          • Favignana
          • Levanzo
          • Marettimo
        • Pelagie Islands >
          • Lampedusa
          • Linosa
          • Lampione
        • Pantelleria
        • Ustica
      • Sardinian Islands >
        • La Maddalena Archipelago >
          • La Maddalena Island
          • Caprera
          • Spargi
          • Santa Maria
          • Santo Stefano (Maddalena)
          • Razzoli
          • Budelli
        • Sant'Antioco
        • Asinara
        • Tavolara
        • San Pietro Island
      • Pontine Islands >
        • Ponza >
          • Things to see in Ponza >
            • Beaches of Ponza
            • Ponza Port
            • Landmarks of Ponza
            • Ponza Travel >
              • How to get to Ponza
              • Ponza Ferry Tickets and Timetables
              • Buses in Ponza
        • Ventotene
        • Palmarola
        • Santo Stefano (Pontine)
        • Zannone
        • Gavi Island
      • Tremiti Islands >
        • San Domino
        • San Nicola
        • Cretaccio
        • Tremiti Islands Ferry Timetables
      • Venetian Lagoon Islands >
        • Pellestrina
      • Borromean Islands
      • Lake Trasimeno Islands
      • Isola San Giulio
      • Monte Isola
      • Palmaria
    • Lakes of Italy >
      • Lake Garda
      • Lake Como
      • Lake Maggiore
      • Lake Trasimeno
      • Lake Bracciano
      • Lake Orta
      • Lake Tenno
    • Landmarks of Italy >
      • Man-Made Landmarks of Italy >
        • Castles of Italy
        • Squares of Italy
        • Roman Monuments in Italy
        • Towers of Italy
        • Bridges of Italy
        • Modern Landmarks of Italy
        • Monuments of Magna Graecia
      • Natural Landmarks of Italy >
        • Rivers of Italy >
          • River Po
          • River Adige
          • River Tiber
        • Mountains of Italy
        • Mountain Ranges of Italy >
          • The Italian Alps
          • The Apennines
          • The Dolomites
    • Religious Buildings of Italy >
      • Cathedrals of Italy
      • Basilicas of Italy
      • Abbeys & Monasteries of Italy
      • Baptisteries of Italy
      • Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy
      • Religious Sanctuaries of Italy
      • Chapels of Italy
    • Cultural Institutions of Italy >
      • Archaeological Sites of Italy
      • Gardens of Italy
      • Museums of Italy
      • Palaces of Italy
      • Art Galleries of Italy
      • Theatres of Italy
    • UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy
    • Italian Beaches >
      • Best Beaches in Italy
      • Beach Resorts of Italy
    • Parks of Italy >
      • National Parks of Italy
      • Nature Reserves of Italy
      • Regional Parks of Italy
      • Italian City Parks
    • Ski Resorts of Italy
    • Italian Coastal Areas
    • Mountain and Valley Regions of Italy
    • Wine Regions of Italy
  • Travel
    • Airports of Italy
    • Italian Ferry Ports
  • Italy Hotels
  • Italy Review Blog
  • Italy
    • Regions of Italy >
      • Northern Italy >
        • Lombardy >
          • Things to see in Lombardy
        • Emilia Romagna >
          • Things to see in Emilia Romagna
        • Piedmont >
          • Things to see in Piedmont
        • Veneto >
          • Things to see in Veneto
        • Liguria >
          • Things to see in Liguria
        • Friuli Venezia Giulia >
          • Things to see in Friuli Venezia Giulia
        • Trentino Alto Adige South Tyrol >
          • Things to see in Trentino Alto Adige South Tyrol
        • Valle d'Aosta >
          • Things to see in Valle d'Aosta
      • Central Italy >
        • Tuscany >
          • Things to see in Tuscany
        • Lazio >
          • Things to see in Lazio
        • Marche >
          • Things to see in Marche
        • Abruzzo >
          • Things to see in Abruzzo
        • Umbria >
          • Things to see in Umbria
        • Molise >
          • Things to see in Molise
      • Southern Italy >
        • Puglia >
          • Things to see in Puglia
        • Campania >
          • Things to see in Campania
        • Calabria >
          • Things to see in Calabria
        • Basilicata >
          • Things to see in Basilicata
      • Island Regions >
        • Sicily >
          • Things to see in Sicily
        • Sardinia >
          • Things to see in Sardinia
    • Provinces of Italy

Basilica di San Miniato al Monte

Basilica  di  San  Miniato  al  Monte​


You will know it was a great choice to visit the Basilica di San Miniato al Monte even before entering it.

O
pposite the façade of this milestone of Romanesque architecture in Florence you will have one of the best views of the city as San Miniato is located in one of its highest points. It's also just a short walk from Piazzale Michelangelo where the views are even better.

​
San Miniato was the first evangeliser and Christian martyr in Florence. 
The legend tells how after being beheaded next to the River Arno, he walked carrying his own head up the hill and went to die in the cave on Monte alle Croci where he had lived as a hermit. Here is where the church was built in 1018.

Next to the church is a magnificent monastery. Due to its strategic position during the siege of Florence in 1530 it was used as an artillery post and fortress, as suggested by Michelangelo; at that time the artist worked in military engineering projects and for the defence of Florence.  He also was responsible for the construction of the defensive walls that surround the complex and had the idea of wrapping the Campanile (bell tower) in mattresses to protect it from enemy fire. It had already collapsed in 1499, but was rebuilt in 1523 to never be finished. In 1924 The complex was rebuilt to again be a monastery.

A part of the complex is also the Bishop’s Palace, summer residence for Florentine bishops with the refectory and the mill all built in the 13th century. Also within the site's confines is a cemetery, the Porte Sante, where writers such as Luigi Ugolini and Carlo Collodi, creator of Pinocchio and artists including Libero Andreotti and Pietro Annigoni are buried .

Check out the geometrically patterned marble façade, that resembles the Basilica di Santa Croce or Santa Maria Novella, and the eagle on the top of it; it was the symbol of Arte di Calimala, an important cloth merchants’ guild in the city which paid for it and were responsible for the church’s upkeep from 1288. 

Inside, pass by the Cappella del Crocefisso (Chapel of the Crucifix), designed by Michelozzo. It is the more visible and lies in the central nave. There are also works by Luca della Robbia and frescoes by Taddeo Gaddi, Alesso Baldovinetti and Piero del Pollaiuolo. Also not to missed, on the left the Cappella del Cardinale del Portogallo (Chapel of the Cardinal of Portugal), designed by Antonio Manetti and finished by Antonio Rossellino and considered one of the most impressive funerary monuments of the Italian Renaissance.

Opening times (for tourists): 
​

Monday to Saturday: 09:30 –13:00, 15:30 –19:00
Sunday in summer: 08:15 – 20:00
Sunday in winter: 08:15 –19:00
Prices: 

Free entry
Category: Things to see in Florence

City: Florence

Region: Tuscany

Province: Metropolitan City of Florence

Built: 1018

Architectural style: Romanesque

Walking distance from Piazza del Duomo: ​29 minutes
Recommended accommodation: Hotel Spadai
Close by: Piazzale Michelangelo, Boboli Gardens
Directions: From the main train station (FSN) walk to the Piazza della stazione and take bus 12 to Piazzale Michelangelo. From the stop San Miniato 01, in Viale Galileo, walk to via del Monte alle Croci. By car you can drive from the station to Piazza Ferrucci. There, turn to the left Via delle Porte Sante. The basilica will be on your right. You can also arrive walking by the green hills that surround Florence, up to Piazzale Michelangelo. Then follow several paths from either the Piazzetta of San Miniato or the path behind the Torre di San Nicolò. Once you are at the panoramic terrace, climb the remaining steps to the top of Via delle Porte Sante to arrive at the door of the church.




Picture
Picture

​All photos and images on the site that are marked with the © copyright symbol or with the Italy Review series logos are the property of Italy Review and must not be used elsewhere without prior permission. All written content on the website is also the property of Italy Review and its use is strictly limited to this website alone. 
  • Home
    • Contact
    • Ischia Review
    • Sorrento Review
  • Things to see in Italy
    • Cities of Italy >
      • Major Cities of Italy >
        • Rome >
          • Things to see in Rome
        • Venice >
          • Things to see in Venice
        • Florence >
          • Things to see in Florence
        • Milan >
          • Things to see in Milan
        • Naples >
          • Things to see in Naples
        • Turin >
          • Things to see in Turin
        • Verona >
          • Things to see in Verona
        • Genoa
        • Bologna
        • Palermo
      • Beautiful Italian Cities >
        • Pisa >
          • Things to see in Pisa
        • Siena
        • Ravenna
        • Lecce
        • Mantova
        • Syracuse
        • Perugia
        • Pavia
        • Lucca
    • Towns and Villages of Italy >
      • Seaside Towns of Italy >
        • Sestri Levante
        • Vieste
        • Positano
        • Tropea
        • Sorrento
        • Cefalu
        • Amalfi
        • Polignano a Mare
      • Lakeside Towns of Italy >
        • Varenna
        • Orta San Giulio
        • Bellagio
        • Sirmione
        • Molveno
        • Trevignano Romano
        • Desenzano del Garda
      • Scenic Towns of Italy >
        • Alberobello
        • Bassano del Grappa
        • Sarzana
        • Susa
        • Brisighella
        • Grottammare
      • Hilltop Villages of Italy >
        • Castelluccio
        • Civita di Bagnoregio
        • Roccascalegna
        • Apricale
        • Muro Lucano
      • Historic Towns of Italy >
        • Matera
        • Albenga
        • Chioggia
        • Assisi
      • Hill Towns of Italy >
        • San Gimignano
        • Taormina
        • Ravello
      • Picturesque Villages of Italy >
        • Finalborgo
        • Rasiglia
      • Mountain Towns of Italy >
        • Bressanone
      • Vineyard Towns of Italy >
        • Barolo
      • Fishing Villages of Italy
      • Mural Towns of Italy
      • Spa Towns of Italy
      • Ghost Towns of Italy
      • I Borghi Piu Belli d'Italia
      • Orange Flag Towns of Italy
    • Italian Islands >
      • Phlegraean Islands >
        • Ischia
        • Procida
        • Nisida
        • Vivara
      • Capri
      • Tuscan Archipelago >
        • Elba >
          • Things to see in Elba >
            • Must See Elba
            • Best Beaches of Elba
          • Elba Travel >
            • How to get to Elba
            • Elba Ferry Tickets and Timetables
            • Buses in Elba
        • Giglio
        • Pianosa
        • Capraia (Tuscany)
        • Giannutri
      • Sicilian Islands >
        • Aeolian Islands >
          • Lipari
          • Salina
          • Panarea
          • Vulcano
          • Stromboli
          • Filicudi
          • Alicudi
        • Aegadian Islands >
          • Favignana
          • Levanzo
          • Marettimo
        • Pelagie Islands >
          • Lampedusa
          • Linosa
          • Lampione
        • Pantelleria
        • Ustica
      • Sardinian Islands >
        • La Maddalena Archipelago >
          • La Maddalena Island
          • Caprera
          • Spargi
          • Santa Maria
          • Santo Stefano (Maddalena)
          • Razzoli
          • Budelli
        • Sant'Antioco
        • Asinara
        • Tavolara
        • San Pietro Island
      • Pontine Islands >
        • Ponza >
          • Things to see in Ponza >
            • Beaches of Ponza
            • Ponza Port
            • Landmarks of Ponza
            • Ponza Travel >
              • How to get to Ponza
              • Ponza Ferry Tickets and Timetables
              • Buses in Ponza
        • Ventotene
        • Palmarola
        • Santo Stefano (Pontine)
        • Zannone
        • Gavi Island
      • Tremiti Islands >
        • San Domino
        • San Nicola
        • Cretaccio
        • Tremiti Islands Ferry Timetables
      • Venetian Lagoon Islands >
        • Pellestrina
      • Borromean Islands
      • Lake Trasimeno Islands
      • Isola San Giulio
      • Monte Isola
      • Palmaria
    • Lakes of Italy >
      • Lake Garda
      • Lake Como
      • Lake Maggiore
      • Lake Trasimeno
      • Lake Bracciano
      • Lake Orta
      • Lake Tenno
    • Landmarks of Italy >
      • Man-Made Landmarks of Italy >
        • Castles of Italy
        • Squares of Italy
        • Roman Monuments in Italy
        • Towers of Italy
        • Bridges of Italy
        • Modern Landmarks of Italy
        • Monuments of Magna Graecia
      • Natural Landmarks of Italy >
        • Rivers of Italy >
          • River Po
          • River Adige
          • River Tiber
        • Mountains of Italy
        • Mountain Ranges of Italy >
          • The Italian Alps
          • The Apennines
          • The Dolomites
    • Religious Buildings of Italy >
      • Cathedrals of Italy
      • Basilicas of Italy
      • Abbeys & Monasteries of Italy
      • Baptisteries of Italy
      • Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy
      • Religious Sanctuaries of Italy
      • Chapels of Italy
    • Cultural Institutions of Italy >
      • Archaeological Sites of Italy
      • Gardens of Italy
      • Museums of Italy
      • Palaces of Italy
      • Art Galleries of Italy
      • Theatres of Italy
    • UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy
    • Italian Beaches >
      • Best Beaches in Italy
      • Beach Resorts of Italy
    • Parks of Italy >
      • National Parks of Italy
      • Nature Reserves of Italy
      • Regional Parks of Italy
      • Italian City Parks
    • Ski Resorts of Italy
    • Italian Coastal Areas
    • Mountain and Valley Regions of Italy
    • Wine Regions of Italy
  • Travel
    • Airports of Italy
    • Italian Ferry Ports
  • Italy Hotels
  • Italy Review Blog
  • Italy
    • Regions of Italy >
      • Northern Italy >
        • Lombardy >
          • Things to see in Lombardy
        • Emilia Romagna >
          • Things to see in Emilia Romagna
        • Piedmont >
          • Things to see in Piedmont
        • Veneto >
          • Things to see in Veneto
        • Liguria >
          • Things to see in Liguria
        • Friuli Venezia Giulia >
          • Things to see in Friuli Venezia Giulia
        • Trentino Alto Adige South Tyrol >
          • Things to see in Trentino Alto Adige South Tyrol
        • Valle d'Aosta >
          • Things to see in Valle d'Aosta
      • Central Italy >
        • Tuscany >
          • Things to see in Tuscany
        • Lazio >
          • Things to see in Lazio
        • Marche >
          • Things to see in Marche
        • Abruzzo >
          • Things to see in Abruzzo
        • Umbria >
          • Things to see in Umbria
        • Molise >
          • Things to see in Molise
      • Southern Italy >
        • Puglia >
          • Things to see in Puglia
        • Campania >
          • Things to see in Campania
        • Calabria >
          • Things to see in Calabria
        • Basilicata >
          • Things to see in Basilicata
      • Island Regions >
        • Sicily >
          • Things to see in Sicily
        • Sardinia >
          • Things to see in Sardinia
    • Provinces of Italy