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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.

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.

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

The choir raised on a platform above the large crypt

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.

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

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

The celing of the sacristy: The Four Evangelists

The life of the saint is taken from "Dialogues" of Gregory the Great and from "Golden Legend" by Jacopo da Varagine.

The cycle of the scenes is illustrated in chronological sequence almost like a film. (Cf. the life of Saint Francis at Assisi by Giotto).

Sound: Cecilia Bartoli - Antonio Caldara - Quel buon pastor son io

Text and Pictures: InternetCopyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda