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| 35 - Porta S. Giorgio | Interactive map |
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It belongs to the second circle of walls, then it was enclosed in the Medieval walls. In its facade it still preserves a bas-relief with Saint George and the dragon, copy of the XIV-century original in Palazzo Vecchio. Under the vault, supported by XIII-century capitals, there is a fresco of the Virgin in throne with Child and Saint George and Leonard (1430) by Bicci di Lorenzo.
At the departure of the cortege from Florence, the Image was hailed by the Grand Duke, by the Archbishop and by the civil and religious authorities. Regarding the 1633 procession, the chronicle says that “every little thing was illuminated by torches. Many people were at their windows, on roof tops and wherever they could catch a glimpse. All the population implores the mercy of God and forgiveness for their sins, and the liberation from the plague of the Contagion”. In 1711, at the last minute, it was decided that the return procession would pass instead under the Porta Romana Gate due to the “great following ”. The Bishop Casotti tells us that during the night the tabernacle reached the Impruneta Square, “as soon as it could make its way through the crowd, which was estimated to be more than 3000 people. Torches and lights, which had been distributed in great numbers, were shining on the cupolas of the chapels of the Virgin and of the Cross and all over the church in general”.
On the return journey there is a tabernacle (36) in via San Leonardo before reaching the church of San Leonardo in Arcetri (37).
For its simple architectural style, the building recalls its origin as a rural parish church in the XI or XII century. Inside there is the famous pulpit that once was in the church of San Pietro a Scheraggio, to which Saint Anthony, Boccaccio and Dante refer. This work, probably dates back to a period of time between 1193 and 1250, is made of marble and niello mosaic. It has bas-reliefs with scenes of the life of Jesus.
There also are a tabernacle (38), a niche (39) and another tabernacle (40) until we reach the convent of San Matteo in Arcetri (41). It dates back to the XIII century. As far back as 1390 the Clarisse lived here. Galileo’s daughters took the Holy Orders here. The convent is near the villa il Gioiello, where Galileo spent the last years of his life. Along the journey the nuns of San Matteo in Arcetri honoured the image with torches and hangings. Similarly, all the villas overlooking the procession journey had the same decorations. The owners used to offer food and drinks – bread, wine, eggs and cheese – to the participants of the Confraternities during their journey to Impruneta.
Then along the journey there are two other tabernacles: the first (42) is in Via Pian dei Giullari 119. It is a square aedicule with a bas-relief of the Virgin with Blessing Child. The other one is in Via Pian dei Giullari 79 and it houses a XVIII-century bas-relief with the image of the Virgin.
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| Aree tematiche correlate: Villas and Monument |
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