San Miniato is a town of character perched on a hill, located in the Arno Valley, at the bottom of the Val d’Elsa, between Florence and Pisa, on the Via Francigena.
It is known for the white truffle typical of its lands.
In the Middle Ages, the village was called San Miniato al Tedesco, Otto I of Saxony made it a centre of imperial administration in 962, and in 1218 Frederick II of Swabia made it a tax collection centre in central Italy.
Several events dedicated to its white truffle, including the Truffle Festival of San Miniato on the last three weekends in November. But also in the surrounding villages.
Things to see in San Miniato
Frederick II Tower
On top of the hill stood the Rocca di Federico II, with the tower erected by him between 1217 and 1221 (rebuilt in 1958 after being bombed in the previous war), which became the emblem of the town.
San Miniato Cathedral
In the heart of the historic centre, the San Miniato Cathedral dates back to the early 13th century, with its beautiful red brick façade, with its 16th-century portals and decorated with ceramic discs.
Its rectangular bell tower is also called the Torre di Matilda.
The interior, more recent, is baroque with among the works the 17th marble baptismal font.
July 22, 1944, an American shell reached the church killing 55 people gathered on the forecourt by the Germans who occupied the city.
Episcopal Palace of San Miniato
The elegant Episcopal Palace was built in the early 13th century, with two towers demolished in the 18th century. It is displayed on the Cathedral Square on one side, and the Piazza della Repubblica on the other with its older style.
It has a very beautiful and characteristic facade of concave shape, with their frescoes, along the walls. On the ground floor were 14th century craft workshops.
He keeps the Chapel of the Assumption and of Saint John the Baptist with its beautiful frescoes by Anton Domenico Bamberini.
Convent of San Francesco
Santo Stefano and San Michele Church
Built in the 12th century on a private chapel of the Mangiatori family, it preserves a wooden crucifix by Pietro Cavallini (15th century), frescoes depicting the four evangelists by Domenico Brogi and beautiful stained glass windows.
Santa Chiara Monastery
The Monastery of Santa Chiara is a sober building from the fourteenth century, with a beautiful church in front. In the sacristy there are also some very beautiful works.
Other churches
The church of the Crucifix with its beautiful frescoes and decorations, the church of Santissima Annunziata, that of San Iacopo and Santa Lucia, the Convent of San Domenico.
Where is San Miniato, map
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External information and sites
- Promotion and commune : comune.san-miniato.pi.it, www.sanminiatopromozione.it
- Tourist portals, blogs : www.visitsanminiato.com, www.discoversanminiato.it
- Hotels in San Miniato
Book quickly accommodation in San Miniato in Tuscany, among hotels, rooms, apartments and agritourism in the surrounding area
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