San Michele Arcangelo, Romanesque church in Volterra, Italy
San Michele Arcangelo is a Romanesque church in Volterra featuring a facade of black and green stone arranged in a distinctive pattern. Finely carved capitals decorate the columns, and the building sits across from the Medieval Palazzo Maffei-Guarnacci in the town center.
The church was first mentioned in a papal bull in 987, though the current building dates to the 13th century. This spans over two centuries of transformation before the structure took its present form.
Inside you can see a marble tabernacle crafted by Balsimelli di Settignano and a terracotta Mother and Child by Giovanni della Robbia. These sculptures represent the artistic skill that reached Volterra during the Renaissance period.
The church is located in the town center across from Palazzo Maffei-Guarnacci, making it easy to reach on foot. Its central position means you can visit without needing transport within Volterra.
The facade displays coats of arms belonging to the Farnese family, marked by lily symbols that indicate their connection to the building. These heraldic emblems remain visible today and show how powerful families left their mark on important structures.
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