Basilica San Miniato al Monte Florence

The San Miniato church located on a hill in Florence Italy

Near the Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence, there is a small Romanesque church on the hill: the Basilica San Miniato al Monte.

The church on the hill at Piazzale Michelangelo

Close to Piazzale Michelangelo, there is a small Romanesque church on the hill: the Basilica San Miniato al Monte. The church was built as early as 1015 on top of the tomb of Saint Minias, a martyr of Christianity, who was beheaded by Emperor Decius in the third century. The facade of the church can be seen all over Florence, but few take the time to visit the San Miniato al Monte while it is certainly worthwhile.

^{San Miniato 'al Monte', or on top of the mountain}

^{Beautiful details in the roof of the church}

The facade of San Miniato al Monte

The facade of Basilica di San Miniato al Monte dates back to 1090 and is made in a Romanesque style, in which green, white and black marble alternate in a geometric pattern. However, too little money was available to manufacture the entire façade in this way, so only the bottom, simplest part was made that way. The rest was not completed until the twelfth century, untill the guild of wool importers provided the necessary funds. As a result you will find the symbol of the guild above the pediment. A restored mosaic was added under the pediment.

^{The altar of the basilica}

^{Crypt of San Miniato al Monte Florence}

The interior of the basilica

The decoration of the interior was also done by the guild's finances. In the apse you will find a mosaic in Byzantine style and the floor of the nave shows a marble mosaic work portraying signs and animals of the zodiac. You will also see mosaics in the choir and the pulpit. In the north wall you will find the tomb of Cardinal Iacopo di Lusitania, who was a member of the Portuguese royal family. In the crypt you will find an altar on which relics of Saint Minias can be found. Definitely one of the best things to do in Florence when you are near Piazzale Michelangelo.

My tip: If you're already walking up to Piazzale Michelangelo, continue a little farther to San Miniato al Monte. The basilica is peaceful, beautifully decorated and offers an even more serene viewpoint over Florence. It is one of the best places to enjoy the skyline without the crowds that gather at the main terrace below.

Where is the San Miniato in Firenze?