San Miniato al Monte, Romanesque basilica on Monte alle Croci hill, Florence, Italy
San Miniato al Monte is a Romanesque basilica on the Monte alle Croci hill overlooking Florence, with a facade of white and green marble arranged in geometric patterns. A central mosaic above the entrance shows Christ between the Virgin Mary and Saint Minias.
Construction began in 1018 under Bishop Hildebrand on the site of a fourth-century chapel that held the remains of Saint Minias. Later additions in the 13th century included the sacristy and further elements.
The name honors Saint Minias, a Christian martyr who carried his severed head up this hill after execution in the third century. Local tradition says he chose this hilltop as his final resting place.
Visitors can reach the hilltop by climbing steps or following a gentler path that takes about 20 minutes from the city center. The church is open daily and entry is free, though donations are welcome.
The crypt holds the skull of Saint Minias in a gilded reliquary, venerated at this site for over a thousand years. Every Sunday and on weekdays, monks sing Gregorian chants at masses held at 5:30 in the evening.
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