Basilica di San Miniato — Attraction in Florence

San Miniato al Monte (St. Minias on the Mountain) is a basilica in Florence, central Italy, 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. There is an adjoining Olivetan monastery, seen to the right of the basilica when ascending the stairs.

St. Miniato or Minas (Armenian: Մինաս) was an Armenian prince serving in the Roman army under Emperor Decius. He was denounced as a Christian after becoming a hermit and was brought before the Emperor who was camped outside the gates of Florence. 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.

The interior exhibits the early feature of a choir raised on a platform above the large crypt. It has changed little since it was first built. The patterned pavement dates from 1207. The centre of the nave is dominated by the beautiful freestanding Cappella del Crocefisso (Chapel of the Crucifix), designed by Michelozzo in 1448. It originally housed the miraculous crucifix now in Santa Trìnita and is decorated with panels long thought to be painted by Agnolo Gaddi. The terracotta decoration of the vault is by Luca della Robbia.

The mosaic of Christ between the Virgin and St Minias was made in 1297.

The crypt is the oldest part of the church and the high altar supposedly contains the bones of St Minias himself (although there is evidence that these were removed to Metz before the church was even built). In the vaults are frescoes by Taddeo Gaddi.

The raised choir and presbytery contain a magnificent Romanesque pulpit and screen made in 1207. The apse is dominated by a great mosaic dating from 1297, which depicts the same subject as that on the façade and is probably by the same unknown artist. The crucifix above the high altar is attributed to Luca della Robbia. The sacristy is decorated with a great fresco cycle on the Life of St Benedict by Spinello...

We had really bad experience of this place. Florence is incredible beautiful place and sure we wanted ti make many photos of it. From the church place u can see breathtaking view of the city. We arrived at morning early for make a photos with Duomo without crowd of tourists. I was with my boyfriend and mygosh we didnt make anything wrong or dio!!! disrespectful !!! WE JUST MADE PHOTOS ON HUGE TERRACE !!! NOT EVEN IN FRONT OF CHURCH OR IN CHURCH!!!! Actually, what all another person did. Was cold and we was in normal clots not wearing mini or crop-top. Anyway, arrived service guy and started to CRY to stop to making photos bc its privet property, but all another tourists in same time did photos as well. But he said we make a promoting for commercial use (if we use camera it dosent mean we did photos for selling, day before we made photos of Duomo without any scandal). It was so ridiculous: people who pretend to be a christian just cry to another people who just made a few photos, not even with curch but only with panoramic view. Anyway, we asked to call police if we did something wrong, or explain as well what the rues we broke. Everything what he said: Its because i said! So, well, its a christian. But what happened after was more incredible after 10 mins arrived priest and also asked to dont make a photos, we dont even were in church, or cementery, we were on place with all another tourists who also made photos (sure, for which another reason people arrived there, for byzantin arch?) Anyway, first time in my life i saw so incredible INTOLERANCE IN CHURCH, the priest said to me, that he wont speak with me bc im woman (and? im in Iran?) and will speak only with my bf (strange, why not with my father if we r in department of Iran?). Also he said that allowed to make photos only of wedding and lonely woman cannot make photos in front of church. God thanks, he didnt send me to inquisition to burn me bc im woman with instagram!

Again, im incredibly respectful to all religions and rules, but im really sorry that the priest of San Miniato and all workers there didnt find a piece in heart. I wish them to find a God in...

As well as visiting the church we knew that the location was "the" view of Florence. It is the one you always see with Il Duomo and Brunelleschi's dome, the palazzi and the river. A sunny morning is the perfect time. And yes, the view is lovely. So was the sun on a winter's morning.

Then we visited the Basilica. It is a building that has a geometrically patterned green and white marble façade. Saint Miniato was an Armenian soldier who refused to deny his Christianity. After numerous unsuccessful attempts to kill him via a number of methods he was decapitated on the banks of the Arno. However, he gathered up his head and walked up the hill where he was then buried - apparently. A church was built on that site in the 8th century. It fell into disrepair and construction of the present church began in 1018. It was very dark and very cold inside the church. Eventually our eyes grew accustomed and our teeth stopped chattering. St Miniato's remains are in the crypt, the ceiling of which was decorated in the 14th century with frescoes by Taddeo Gaddi. There is a beautiful 14th century apse mosaic. To give an idea of how dark it was photos were 30 second exposures. The two-colour marble of the façade is continued as a patterned 'carpet' inside the nave and includes a circular zodiac. The sacristy is Gothic in design and contains wonderful 14th century frescoes in the tradition of Giotto by Spinello Aretino.

Emerging into the light and warmth (relative to fridge-like church) we headed straight to a wooden seat in the sun. It was breezy and not too warm. Then we investigated the cemetery peering into the family mausoleums.

If you want photos of the façade of the church go in the later afternoon when the sun is...