Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato al Monte

Our visit starts from Piazzale Michelangelo, the fascinating terrace overlooking the city. Here, we will narrate the origins of Florence and the most important moments of its history, focusing on its artistic blossoming which led to the construction of the buildings we will observe from above: from the gigantic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and its Cupola to Palazzo Vecchio with its slim tower, the Church of Santa Croce forever bound to the memory of Foscolo, the Medici Chapels and the many other towers and buildings disseminated across the city.

We will then leave the viewpoint and travel further up the hill to discover one of the oldest churches in Florence, still today the centre of a lively religious community: the Church of San Miniato al Monte. While climbing the steep steps leading to the entrance, we will start seeing the front of the church, covered in marbles and a gorgeous mosaic; as we stop to catch our breath, we will start to explore the millenary history of this site and attempt to decipher its mysterious inlays. We are now ready to enter the church and, once our eyes have adapted to the obscurity, we will be welcomed by majestic columns surmounted by powerful capitals supporting a magnificent wooden ceiling. As we walk along the walls we will be greeted by images of the saints and notice an inlaid marble floor where innumerable pilgrims have walked before us. 

And there is much more to discover: the centre of the church hosts the Tabernacle designed by Michelozzo and commissioned by Piero dei Medici, father of Lorenzo the Magnificent, where the miraculous crucifix of Saint Giovanni Gualberto was kept; the back of the church instead features the majestic chancel with its alabaster windows, from which a pink light enters the building in the morning. However, the element that captures every visitor’s attention is the fabulous apsidal mosaic depicting the Pantocrator Christ flanked by Mary and Saint Minias.

The sacristy hides another surprise, with its walls fully covered in late medieval mosaics depicting the life and miracles of Saint Benedict, the founder of the religious order that still today inhabits the abbey next to the church. Before leaving, we must visit the holiest place of the church: the crypt conserving the remains of Saint Minias, the first Florentine martyr. 

This incredible ancient building opens onto the Cardinale del Portogallo Chapel, a Renaissance masterpiece featuring works by Luca della Robbia, Antonio Pollaiolo, the Rossellino brothers and Alessio Baldovinetti.