A Month in Bella Italia

[Flutterby]

[Flutterby]

The next day Lis and I went to visit the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte which is located on the hill behind the Piazzale Michelangelo. On the way we passed the Church of San Salvatore al Monte, so we went inside for a quick peek.

004 (2).jpg (204.63 KiB) Viewed 295 times

This is a lovely part of Florence, in the hills overlooking the city, with lots of lovely trees.

009 (2).jpg (216.22 KiB) Viewed 295 times

San Miniato al Monte (St. Minias on the Mountain) is a basilica in Florence, 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 scenic churches in Italy.

016.jpg (166.24 KiB) Viewed 295 times

There are quite a few stairs to climb to the church but the view is worth it.

022.jpg (171.13 KiB) Viewed 295 times

St. Miniato was an Armenian prince serving in the Roman army under Emperor Decius. He was denounced as a Christian and the Emperor ordered him to be thrown to beasts in the Amphitheatre where a panther was called upon him but refused to devour him. Beheaded in the presence of the Emperor, he is alleged to have picked up his head, crossed the Arno and walked up the hill of Mons Fiorentinus to his hermitage. A shrine was later erected at this spot and there was a chapel there by the 8th century. Construction of the present church was begun in 1013 by Bishop Alibrando and it was endowed by the Emperor Henry II. The adjoining monastery began as a Benedictine community, then passed to the Cluniacs and then in 1373 to the Olivetans, who still run it. The monks make famous liqueurs, honey and herbal teas, which they sell from a shop next to the church.

025.jpg (214.06 KiB) Viewed 295 times

The apse is dominated by a mosaic depicting St. Miniato to the right of Christ holding a crown.

031.jpg (199.62 KiB) Viewed 295 times

Near the altar was a ladder which I thought was there for some maintenance work. On closer inspection, it is obvious the ladder is a permanent fixture, which I can only assume symbolises the stairway to heaven.

033.jpg (227.06 KiB) Viewed 295 times

[Richprins]

What marvelous trees!

A tough life for Miniato...

I wonder about the ladder story, Flutts!

[Lisbeth]

A different view with Ponte Vecchio.

The Basilica:

Inside there were lots of beautiful frescos

Mosaic of the facade:

Chapel of the crucifix

The Abbey:

Unfortunately it could not be visited; I would have loved to see the cloister

[Lisbeth]

The staircase to heaven.....

Maybe they were doing some repair

[Pumbaa]

I already said it the more I see from that City the more I want to visit same

Thanks Flutterby for bringing us this beautiful city nearer

[Flutterby]

Lis and RP, I investigated the ladder thoroughly as it also had me confused, and it is definitely a fixture in the church and not there temporarily.

Pleasure Pumbaa, thanks for reading.

Lis, lovely picture of the Ponte Vecchio...that camera has a powerful zoom! Thank goodness we found it again after you left it in the church!!

[Lisbeth]

Good to know, where to find a staircase to heaven

Yes, luckily it was still there

For being a bridge camera it is not at all bad and I do not need anything more sophisticated. I would never learn to use it properly anyway. Forgetting the technics from one time to the other This one can be set by hand too Now that I have time in the evenings I must get around to it

[Lisbeth]

[Flutterby]