Badia Fiorentina

General view from the cathedral , on the left the tower of the Bargello

The Badia Fiorentina ( Italian for "Florentine Abbey") is a medieval abbey church in the center of Florence , which in its current form essentially dates from the late 13th and early 14th centuries.

According to the descriptions in Vita Nova , Dante Alighieri claims to have seen Beatrice Portinari for the first time in the Badia .

Building history

It was founded as a monastery of the Benedictine order in 978. The founder was Hugo von Tuszien . A hospital has been part of the complex since 1071. The building was renewed in Gothic forms between 1284 and 1310 under the supervision of Arnolfo di Cambio and received its characteristic tower between 1310 and 1330. The Chiostro degli Aranci (cloister of the orange trees) was added by Bernardo Rossellino from 1432 to 1438 . It is decorated with a cycle of frescoes by Giovanni di Consalvo . The main portal was designed by Benedetto da Rovezzano . In the 17th century the church was partially rebuilt in the Baroque style.

Furnishing

The interior decoration includes frescoes by Giovanni Domenico Ferretti in the choir room . Paintings by well-known painters are Apparizione della Madonna a San Bernardo ("Appearance of the Virgin to St. Bernard") by Filippino Lippi and Assunta e due Santi ("The Ascending Virgin and Two Saints") by Giorgio Vasari . In addition to other works of art, the church also houses two grave monuments to Bernardo Giugni and Margrave Hugo von Tuszien by Mino da Fiesole .

Steeple

At 70 meters high, Badia Fiorentina has one of the most distinctive and tallest church towers in Florence. The first church tower was completed in 1307, but a few years later it was partially torn down by citizens because the monks of the abbey did not pay their taxes. In 1330 the bell tower was rebuilt and acquired its current appearance.