Sant'Anna in Giolica, Medieval Catholic church in Prato, Italy
Sant'Anna in Giolica is a church in Prato with a Renaissance porch entrance and a Latin cross floor plan topped by a small dome where the transepts meet, lit by four round windows. The interior is filled with painted walls and altarpieces that give the space its visual richness and character.
Founded in 1269 by Brunetto de' Rossi, the church started as a hermitage before it was redesigned in the early 1500s. The changes made then shaped how it looks today and reflect the architectural trends of that era.
Inside, you can see 14th-century frescoes showing the Virgin Mary and Saint Catherine on the walls, along with altarpieces by local artists. These images create the visual and spiritual character of the space and show how art and worship intertwined in this place over the centuries.
The church is located at Via Gabriele D'Annunzio 1 in Prato and has very limited visiting hours. You should ask locally about when you can visit since access is restricted and depends on special openings throughout the year.
From 1820 to 1824, the former convent section served as an experimental workshop for modern cotton and wool spinning machines. This industrial period shows how the building changed roles and adapted to new uses while remaining part of the local community.
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