Basilica di San Miniato al Monte (Basilica of St. Minias on the Mountain), Florence (must see)
Sitting high above Florence on a scenic hill, San Miniato is praised as one of Tuscany鈥檚 finest examples of Romanesque architecture鈥攁nd one of Italy鈥檚 most beautiful churches. While the climb can be a bit of a challenge, the experience pairs beautifully with a visit to Michelangelo Square just below, and best of all鈥攖here鈥檚 no entrance fee. You鈥檒l gain access to both the basilica and the Olivetan monastery next door, still home to monks who care for the site.
The basilica is named after Minias, an Armenian prince who served in the Roman army under Emperor Decius. After becoming a hermit, he was denounced as a Christian. The emperor ordered him thrown to wild animals in the amphitheater鈥攂ut, allegedly, wild beasts refused to harm him. Eventually, Miniato was beheaded in front of the emperor himself. The story goes that he then picked up his own head, crossed the Arno River, and walked to the top of the hill where he had lived in solitude. A shrine was later built here in his honor, followed by a chapel in the 8th century.
The current church was financed by Florence鈥檚 guild of cloth merchants, and their devotion shows. Inside, you鈥檒l find stunning mosaic work, a beautifully crafted marble inlaid altar, and even a surprising astrological floor design that reflects medieval fascination with the heavens.
Just outside, you can wander through the unique and atmospheric cemetery, filled with ornate tombs and monuments. It鈥檚 also the burial site of Carlo Collodi, the author of 鈥淧inocchio鈥�. And don鈥檛 forget to step behind the basilica鈥攖he view of Florence from up there is simply unforgettable.
Before you leave, make time for a stop at the monastery shop, where the Olivetan monks sell a unique selection of herbal liqueurs, teas, honey, and medicinal tinctures鈥攁ll made on-site using centuries-old recipes.
Tip: At 5:30pm, you鈥檙e welcome to join or simply observe the Mass, sung entirely in Latin and Italian by the priests. By 6:30, the monks gather to chant vespers, filling the space with their harmonies.
The basilica is named after Minias, an Armenian prince who served in the Roman army under Emperor Decius. After becoming a hermit, he was denounced as a Christian. The emperor ordered him thrown to wild animals in the amphitheater鈥攂ut, allegedly, wild beasts refused to harm him. Eventually, Miniato was beheaded in front of the emperor himself. The story goes that he then picked up his own head, crossed the Arno River, and walked to the top of the hill where he had lived in solitude. A shrine was later built here in his honor, followed by a chapel in the 8th century.
The current church was financed by Florence鈥檚 guild of cloth merchants, and their devotion shows. Inside, you鈥檒l find stunning mosaic work, a beautifully crafted marble inlaid altar, and even a surprising astrological floor design that reflects medieval fascination with the heavens.
Just outside, you can wander through the unique and atmospheric cemetery, filled with ornate tombs and monuments. It鈥檚 also the burial site of Carlo Collodi, the author of 鈥淧inocchio鈥�. And don鈥檛 forget to step behind the basilica鈥攖he view of Florence from up there is simply unforgettable.
Before you leave, make time for a stop at the monastery shop, where the Olivetan monks sell a unique selection of herbal liqueurs, teas, honey, and medicinal tinctures鈥攁ll made on-site using centuries-old recipes.
Tip: At 5:30pm, you鈥檙e welcome to join or simply observe the Mass, sung entirely in Latin and Italian by the priests. By 6:30, the monks gather to chant vespers, filling the space with their harmonies.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Florence. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 911爆料网 App
Basilica di San Miniato al Monte (Basilica of St. Minias on the Mountain) on Map
Sight Name: Basilica di San Miniato al Monte (Basilica of St. Minias on the Mountain)
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Florence, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Florence
Creating your own self-guided walk in Florence is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Florence Introduction Walking Tour
Florence was founded in 59 BC by Julius Caesar as a settlement for his veteran soldiers. Laid out like a Roman military camp, its main roads intersected at what is now the Republic Square. Originally named Fluentia, referencing its location between two rivers, the city later adopted the name Florentia, meaning 鈥渇lowering鈥� or 鈥渇lourishing鈥�.
And flourish it did. During the Middle Ages and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
And flourish it did. During the Middle Ages and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Florence Food Tour
Food is one of the great Florentine passions, and the great thing about having a delicious authentic Tuscan meal, a snack, delicatessen, or a quality gelato here 鈥� besides the abundant variety 鈥� is not having to spend a lot of money for it.
In general, the 鈥渙sterias鈥� and the eateries nestled in Sant鈥橝mbrogio Market will offer cheaper and more casual food with an emphasis on home... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
In general, the 鈥渙sterias鈥� and the eateries nestled in Sant鈥橝mbrogio Market will offer cheaper and more casual food with an emphasis on home... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Dante's Florence Walking Tour
Dante Alighieri was arguably the greatest 鈥� albeit also most controversial 鈥� of Italy's poets. After having served as one of the six priors governing Florence, his political activities 鈥� including the banishing of several rivals 鈥� led to his own banishment, upon which he wrote his masterpiece, 鈥淭he Divine Comedy鈥�, as a wanderer, seeking protection for his family in one town after... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Duomo Walking Tour
Right in the heart of historic Florence lies the Duomo district鈥攖he city's religious and civic core, and one of the most remarkable places in all of Italy. Between the Duomo and Signoria squares, Florence unfolds in layers of art, history, and architectural brilliance, offering a never-ending stream of things to see, do, and admire.
At the center of it all stands the Florence Cathedral,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
At the center of it all stands the Florence Cathedral,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Medici Landmarks Walking Tour
The Medici family helped to establish Florence as the single most important art capital of Renaissance Europe. In order to prove wealth and power, they built numerous palaces, libraries, churches, chapels and personal residences. The Medicis were big lovers of art and they acquired huge, expensive collections, as well as supporting many sculptors and painters of the time.
Designed by... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Designed by... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Arno South Bank Walking Tour
The area south of the Arno River鈥攌nown as Oltrarno, or 鈥淏eyond the Arno鈥濃�攐ffers a quieter, more intimate side of Florence, but one that鈥檚 no less captivating. It鈥檚 here that you鈥檒l find the grand Pitti Palace, home to a painting collection rivaled only by the Uffizi Gallery, and the expansive Boboli Gardens, once the private domain of the Medici and later, the royal family. As one of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Florence's Tasty Coffee Shop Guide
The caffe scene throughout Italy is an important factor of everyday life. People will pop in to their favorite bar on their way to work for a quick espresso breakfast with a pastry, they鈥檒l grab a slice of pizza for lunch or drop by for an aperitivo before dining out and take a peaceful digestivo...
Souvenir Shopping Guide: 15 Unique Products to Buy in Florence
Compared to other Italian "grands" like Rome, Venice, or Milan, Florence is relatively less-known to an outsider for any local products, save, perhaps, Florentine mosaics and Fiorentina FC. Fortunately, there are tonnes of locally-originated things that this Italian city is rightfully...
Top 14 Pubs in Florence
Florence, the city of art and beauty has no problem in mastering the art of the nightlife as well. Local pubs are very popular and appreciated among the Florentines and the tourists. Locals and native English speakers that study or live in the city cannot wait to welcome tourists in their cozy...