Badia a Settimo, Romanesque abbey in Scandicci, Italy.
Badia a Settimo is a Romanesque abbey in Scandicci featuring three naves supported by trabeation on the sides and adorned with glazed terracotta decorations by Buglioni. The building displays a coherent medieval character with carefully planned interior spaces.
The monastery was originally founded by Benedictines and transitioned to the Cistercian order in 1236 through a decree by Pope Gregory IX under the abbey of Galgano Guidotti. This shift marked an important change in the site's monastic tradition.
The chapel of San Jacopo preserves frescoes from 1315 attributed to Buffalmacco, while another chapel displays works by Giovanni da San Giovanni from 1629. These artworks from different periods show how the site was artistically shaped over centuries.
The abbey is located at Via San Lorenzo a Settimo 19 and maintains regular visiting hours for those interested in religious architecture and medieval art. It is advisable to check current opening times before your visit to ensure access.
The church facade blends three different architectural periods with irregular Romanesque decorations, a Gothic rose window, and Renaissance-style entrances. This combination reveals how the building was continually adapted over centuries.
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