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| 1 - The information point | |
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Locality: IMPRUNETA
Address: PIAZZA GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI
Cap:50023
Phone: 055-2313729
Fax: 055-2313729
Email: proimpruneta@rtd.it
Web site: http://www.proimpruneta.rtd.it
Parking Place: in the Buondelmonti Square or in the Accursio Square, which is nearby.
Timetable:
Spring/Summer tue. thu. fri. sat. 10.00/13.00 - 15.00/18.00;
wed. sun. 10.00/13.00 mon. closed
Autumn/Winter wed. thu. sun. 10.00/13.00; fri. 15.00/18.00;
sat. 10.00/13.00 - 15.00/18.00; mon. e tue. closed
The starting point can be considered the tourist information point in the Barazzina Park in the Garibaldi Square or the Visitors Centre - when it becomes a reality – where the visitor will be able to find precise information about the itinerary, special events and the opening times.
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| Aree tematiche correlate: Information |
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| Interactive map |
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The itinerary begins from the Information Point in the Garibaldi Square, in the Barazzina Park just above the Buondelmonti Square.
As far as the opening time of churches are concerned, the Basilica is open:
from 7.30am to 11.30am and from 4.30pm to 7pm during the summer; from 7.30am to 11.30am and from 4pm to 6.30pm during the winter.
The other churches are usually open during church services.
For special openings the Pro Loco can provide all the information (tel. 055 2313729).
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| 2a - The Basilica of Santa Maria | |
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History: In the beginning it was a shrine, then it was consecrated in 1060 by the Cardinal Umberto di Selva Candida. In the XIV century it was enlarged. Afterwards in the XV century the Bishop Antonio degli Agli undertook other restoration works. He was a famous humanist and was the parish priest from 1439 to 1477 when he died. In this period he ordered a wall to be built all around the building with towers at every corner to make the church appear to be an impregnable fortress. Inside, two small temples were built following the model of the one designed by Michelozzo in the Santissima Annunziata church. In 1634 in Florence, the company of the stigmata of San Francis built at its own expenses the arcade on the front facade of the church, which was designed by the architect Gherardo Silvani.
After the 1944 bombing, which destroyed the baroque ceiling, the church was restored in Renaissance style. The fame and the success of the shrine are based on the cult of the image of the Virgin, which the tradition ascribes to Saint Luke the Evangelist. According to this legend, the image was taken to Florence at the time of the first Christianization by Saint Romolo and his followers. Due to the persecutions, they hid the image burying it in pruinetis, from which the name Impruneta derives.
The procession: All the procession heading to Florence started in the Basilica. The Bishop Casotti makes a reference about the excitement and the joy of the entire population of Impruneta: “At night in the village, those people, extremely devoted to their protectress, started to light fires and lights and through cracker shots they signalled that the day of the procession was close. That was enough for everyone to compete and show his devotion in the two nights following, Friday and Saturday, lighting fires all over the hills for ten miles around.” The author describes the participation of the Companies to the start of the procession “so that the people coming to the procession were about 800.After them the Company of the Pieve followed, which numbered 400 people. And almost all the men of these confraternities carried a torch or some other kind lights in their hands.”
Description: the building has a high battlemented bell-tower built in the XIII century, with four alternating orders of single and double lancet windows. The arcade of the facade, designed by Gherardo Silvani (1634)is composed of five wide arches surmounted by rectangular windows. On the left of the facade, there is a Medieval civic tower, with its great clock-face. The stone of the first consecration is under the arcade of the facade.
The interior has one wide nave in Renaissance style: the arches are made of pietra serena and they act as a frame for the altars. The apse is deeep. The trusses of the ceiling stand out. At each both of the entrance there are two small holy water basins (1542 and 1637).
On entering, the altar of the “Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence” by Cristofano Allori is on the right. Following there is the painting of the “Nativity of the Virgin” by Domenico Crespi known as il Passignano. On the left, after having passed the baptistery, in which there is a baptismal font made in 1590, there are two paintings: “The vocation of Peter and Andrew” (1606) by Jacopo Chimenti (known as Jacopo da Empoli)and “The martyrdom of Saint Sebastian” by Matteo Rosselli.
Two small temples dedicated to the Virgin and to Christ precede the presbytery. Both the temples were seriously damaged in the 1944 bombing and later they were reassembled using all the fragments that had been found. Now they are protected by a marble precinct made of four fluted columns with Corinthian capitals. Above there is a rich trabeation. The ceiling is adorned with majolica lacunars.
The aedicule on the right is the Chapel of the Cross, whose altar-piece “The crucifix among the Virgin, Saint John and Angels” was made by Luca della Robbia (glazed terracotta on an azure background). Also the side statues of Saint John the Baptist and Austin are by della Robbia; as well as the altar step with Flying angels on the sides of the tabernacle and the polychrome majolica ceiling.
The aedicule on the left is called the Chapel of the Virgin and is decorated with beautiful works by Luca della Robbia: the polychrome majolica frieze of the architrave with leaves and fruit, two small bas-reliefs with the Virgin and Child: the decoration on the ceiling; the majolica statues of Saint Paul and Luke which are at both sides of the tabernacle. In this chapel there is the sacred image of the Virgin with Child in which traces of the XIII-century painting are still visible. This painting is displayed only on special occasions. It has been ascribed to Luke the Evangelist, but it was repainted by the English painter Enrico Hugford in 1758 on a support which probably dates back to the XIII century.
The steps above the Lord’s Table in the altar are decorated with embossed silver medallions and semiprecious stones. The silver ciborium, which is heavily decorated, depicts “ The finding of the Sacred Image”. The frontal, presented by Cosimo III as an ex voto, depicts the Grand Duke praying in front of the image of the Virgin.
On the main altar we find the great polypytch with Virgin with Child and Florentine Saints Tommaso del Mazza e Pietro Nelli (1375), reassembled after the severe damage caused by the war.
On the right, a chapel houses the tomb of the Bishop Antonio degli Agli(XV century)surmounted by a medallion with a Virgin with child by the workshop of Antonio da Maiano.
The rich XVIII-century choir has been put in its original place within the interior facade. This is the location where once the XVI-century organ was placed.
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| Aree tematiche correlate: Curches |
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| 2b - Museum of Sacred Art | |
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The museum of sacred art is open all year.
Timetable:
Saturday: 9:30-12:30 - 14:30-18:30
Sunday: 9:30-13:00 - 14:30-19:00
(special opening for groups on thursday is available)
The Museum of the Treasure of Santa Maria dell’Impruneta is on the first floor of the great loggia, close to the Basilica. It preserves the extraordinary artistic heritage, including all the donations made by the Medici Grand Dukes and by the most noble Tuscan families over the centuries in order to show their gratitude to the Virgin of Impruneta.
The most significant groups of the displayed objects are the gifts offered to the Virgin during the two important processions which took place in 1633 and in 1711.
Among the principal categories to which the displayed objects pertain there are: jewellery, fabrics, illuminated codexes. The main room is dedicated to this first section, in which silver and rock crystals stand out for their magnificent reflections. Aside from the splendid collections of votive vases, the astylar cross (1425) ascribed to Lorenzo Ghiberti needs to be mentioned, as well as the reliquary of the Saint Cross (1620) ascribed to the famous goldsmith Cosimo Merlini. It was commissioned by Maria Maddalena d’Austria, wife of Cosimo II de’ Medici.
The second section includes the collection of sacred hangings. Among them there are six XVI-XVIII century capes, which protected the Image of the Virgin, and the altar table cloth made in embroidered gauze (XVI century). The small pillow that comes from the sepulchral vestments of the Bishop Antonio degli Agli (before 1477) needs to be mentioned. It is a rare and antique example of patchwork, which utilises fragments of precious recovered fabrics.
The section with the illuminated codexes is important both for the number of pieces and for their quality: 11 manuscripts date back to the XIV and the XVI centuries. There also are some impressive terracotta bricks made in various periods of time, which depict the Virgin of Impruneta and some soppani (made in Impruneta terracotta), which were used as ceiling decorations.
Note:
The museum joins the circuits Chianti Musei and Piccoli Grandi Musei.
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| Aree tematiche correlate: Villas and Monument |
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| 3 - Niche Via della Croce | |
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Address: via della Croce 44
This XIX-century niche is excavated in the wall of a house between two windows on the first floor. Inside there is a polychrome glazed terracotta plaque. Its shape is long and narrow and inside there is the Virgin in throne inserted in a aedicule with open doors. In the predella there is the Finding of the Sacred image.
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| Aree tematiche correlate: Tabernacles |
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| 4 - Niche Via della Croce | |
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Address: via della Croce 77
This XIX-century niche is placed between the two windows on the first floor. It has a round arch inside which there is a terracotta plaque with the Virgin in throne inside an aedicule and two saints one on each side. On the predella there is the Finding of the Sacred image.
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| Aree tematiche correlate: Tabernacles |
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| 5 - Tabernacle Via della Croce | |
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Address: via della Croce 64
The XIX-century tabernacle is a part of a vaster decorative system, which includes the entire facade of the house. It was made by Raffaello Agresti, who belonged to the Agresti family of Impruneta. The tabernacle has a series of polychrome majolica medallions framed by flower and fruit swags, on the Della Robbia model. The one in the centre has the Agresti coat of arms and the dates 1864 and 1896. The arched niche is framed by a classical aedicule with composite capitals, which support the trabeation, with the inscription “ego mater pulchrae dilectionins”. Inside the niche there is the terracotta Virgin with child and San Giovannino which is drawn on the Madonna del Cardellino by Raphael (1506), now in the Uffizzi Gallery.
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| Aree tematiche correlate: Tabernacles |
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| 6 - Votive Cross Via della Croce | |
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Address: Via della Croce 79-81
This XIX-century wooden cross half enclosed in the wall of a house is placed on a stone basement (symbol of the three mountains of Golgotha)on which there is the inscription “fatali”. This is a sacred sign which is linked to this very place, as the name of the street suggests.
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| Aree tematiche correlate: Tabernacles |
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| 7 - Tabernacle Via Falciani | |
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Address: Falciani 7
This XIX-century tabernacle has a rectangular shape. It is covered by a massive overhanging roof made of tiles, which rests on a wooden structure. The tabernacle is made of plastered masonry. It is brought to the ground by two stone volutes. In the niche, which is protected by wooden gates, there is a terracotta plaque with Virgin in throne inside an aedicule and outside two saints.
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| Aree tematiche correlate: Tabernacles |
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| 8 - Niche Via Imprunetana | |
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Address: Via Imprunetana per Tavarnuzze 47
This XVIII-century niche has small dimensions and it is in the external wall of a house. The antique terracotta depicts a Virgin with Child.
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| Aree tematiche correlate: Tabernacles |
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| 9 - Niche Via Imprunetana | |
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Address: Via Imprunetana per Tavarnuzze 49-49b
This XVIII-century niche is in the wall of a house. It has piers, brick centring and it rests on a shelf. Inside it has a terracotta plate with the figures of the Virgin and the Announcing Angel.
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| Aree tematiche correlate: Tabernacles |
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| 10 - Niche Via Uccellare | |
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Address: Via Uccellare 10, Bagnolo
This niche was supposedly a well that was converted in the XIX century for religious purposes. In a rectangular niche there is a small terracotta plaque with a Virgin on a throne inside an aedicule and the saints Peter and Paul at its sides.
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| Aree tematiche correlate: Tabernacles |
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| 11 - Niche Via Imprunetana | |
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Address: Via Imprunetana per Tavarnuzze 73, Bagnolo
This XVIII-century niche is inserted in the architrave of the main gate. The frame is in brick and is simple. Inside there is a terracotta of the second-half of XVIII century (probably 1776the date on the portal) with a wreath of fruits and flowers and the image of the Immaculate Conception is surrounded by a crown of stars.
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| Aree tematiche correlate: Tabernacles |
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| 12 - Saint Martin Church | |
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Locality: Bagnolo
History: this church has XVII-century characteristics but we can find reference to it dating from 1076 which mentioned it as part of Santa Maria, first under the patronage of some Longobard nobles and then of the Buondelmonti family.
Description: a XVIII-century arcade was added to the original structure.
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| Aree tematiche correlate: Curches |
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| 13 - Tabernacle Via Cantagallo | |
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Address: via Cantagallo 179, Bagnolo
Il grande tabernacolo (XVIII secolo), posto al margine della strada, è costituito da un corpo in muratura intonacata con una grande nicchia inquadrata da due pilastri con basi in laterizio. La copertura è in coppi e tegole, poco sporgente. All'interno della nicchia una targa in terracotta di antica esecuzione. Nella piccola targa si legge: "Restaurata da Fernando, Filippo, Eloin ricordo di Giuliano Maggio 1984".
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| Aree tematiche correlate: Tabernacles |
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| 14 - Tabernacle Via Montebuoni | |
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Address: via Montebuoni at the crossing with via degli Scopeti 5, Tavarnuzze
This XX-century tabernacle has a severe appearance with a shelf and square entablature. In the niche there is a terracotta plaque with Virgin in throne with Child inside a frame.
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| Aree tematiche correlate: Tabernacles |
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| 15 - Saint Peter Church | |
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Locality: Montebuoni
History: This church, already mentioned as Saint Peter “de muliere mala” in 1156, was headed by Buondelmonti, then by Capitani di Parte and eventually by the Grand Duke of Tuscany. Almost certainly it was rebuilt in the XIV century. Today none of the original parts have been preserved due to the following transformations. In 1518 it became prioral. The baptismal font raised the importance of this small church.
Description: Inside there is a Virgin with Child by Lorenzo Bicci.
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| Aree tematiche correlate: Curches |
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| 16 - Niche Via Montebuoni | |
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Address: Via Montebuoni 111, Tavarnuzze
This XVIII-century niche is framed by a decoration in pietra serena. Inside, above a stone shelf there is a terracotta with a Virgin with Child of Impruneta manufacture of the same period as the niche.
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| Aree tematiche correlate: Tabernacles |
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| 17 - Tabernacle Via Montebuoni | |
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This XX-century tabernacle is on the prolongation of the protective wall of the Neo Renaissance villa. It is made in brick and it has the shape of a pointed arch. Its covering is made in tiles. The niche is protected by an iron gate of exquisite workmanship.
A marble plaque has this inscription.
Maria santa vergine signora
Regina del ciel benigna e pia
Che guardia stai di questa mia dimora
E sorridi a chi passa por la via
La tua benignità preservi ognora
Tutti noi da ogni mano iniqua e ria.
Al passegger che volge a te il saluto
Porgi benigna il tuo possente aiuto
15 agosto 1925”
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| Aree tematiche correlate: Tabernacoli, Tabernacles |
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| 18 - Niche Via Montebuoni | |
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Address: Via Montebuoni 234, Tavarnuzze
This XIX-century niche is in the wall of a house. Its style is eclectic. The niche houses a polychrome plaster statue of the Virgin which stands out on a light blue background adorned with stars. On a marble plaque there is the inscription: “A Maria SS. Ma. Addolorata il popolo di Tavarnuzze 1883”.
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| Aree tematiche correlate: Tabernacles |
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| 19 - Tabernacle Via di Quintole | |
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Address: via di Quintole per le Rose, Tavarnuzze
This XVIII-century tabernacle is in plastered masonry. It has an elegant profile with a moulding surmounted by a tiled covering. The niche has a frame and a shelf, both made in pietra serena. The link between this tabernacle and the edge of the protective wall is worth signalling for its grace. Inside there is a recent terracotta with the Virgin with Child.
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| Aree tematiche correlate: Tabernacles |
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| 20 - Niche vicolo delle Rose | |
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Address: vicolo delle Rose, Tavarnuzze
This XVIII-century niche is a part of a refined neo-classical architectural structure, which stands out slightly from the wall. Inside we can see a terracotta plaque depicting Saint Michael the Archangel and the devil. This scene is framed with a fruit swag, which has a cherub head in its keystone.
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| Aree tematiche correlate: Tabernacles |
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| 21 - Saint Lawrence’s Church Le Rose | |
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History: this church has very old origins. The documentation goes back to the XI century. It was rebuilt in the XIV century as the facade a capanna witnesses. It was under the patronage of the Rossi and then the Grifoni, wealthy families of the city who possessed large estates in this area. The interior plan is rectangular and was made in the XVI century. Over the centuries the building underwent many transformations: the side altars were raised and a stone altar substituted the wooden one.
Description: the facade is preceded by an arcade with Tuscan columns. The interior dates back to the XVI-century. Behind the main altar there is an Annunciation attributed to the Maestro da Serumido, the conventional name of an “eccentric” artist, who was active in Florence in the XVI-century. On the right side-altar there is San Nicola da Bari by Andrea Boscoli (1596) and on the left a painting attributed to Francesco Curradi depicting Santi Domenico e Caterina. Once the central opening housed the Virgin with Child by Taddeo Gaddi.
This painting usually attributed to the late period of Giotto’s most faithful disciples is now in the presbytery.
Descrizione: La facciata è preceduta da un portico su colonne toscane. Nell'interno cinquecentesco è custodita, dietro l'altare maggiore, una Annunciazione attribuita al Maestro di Serumido, nome convenzionale di un artista "eccentrico" della pittura fiorentina del primo Cinquecento. Sugli altari laterali, si venerano a destra San Nicola di Bari, eseguito da Andrea Boscoli nel 1596 e a sinistra un a tela attribuita a Francesco Curradi, rappresentante i Santi Domenico e Caterina, che un tempo custodiva nell'apertura centrale la Madonna col Bambino di Taddeo Gaddi. Questa tavola, concordemente assegnata dalla critica alla tarda attività del più fedele discepolo di Giotto, è stata poi collocata nella cappella laterale a sinistra del presbiterio.
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| Aree tematiche correlate: Curches |
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| 22 - Niche Via della Repubblica | |
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Address: via della Repubblica 12, Tavarnuzze
This XIX-century niche is protected by a wooden and glass door. Inside there is a print with a Virgin with Child and saints.
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| Aree tematiche correlate: Tabernacles |
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| 23 - Tabernacle loc. Galluzzo | |
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Address: front of Via Lunigiana, Galluzzo
This XIX-century tabernacle inserted in the protective wall of Certosa has a frame in pietra serena. The niche houses a beautiful coloured ceramic on a golden background, which was so placed in 1956. It depicts the Madonna protectress the city. The Virgin is seated on a cloud with her lap full of flowers, which She lets fall onto Florence one by one. This art-piece, by Giorgio Lenzi Orlandi Cardini, was made in the Manifattura del Cardo d’Oro. Following a spontaneous habit, which was first performed right after the inauguration of this tabernacle, young spouses have the custom of leaving their wedding bouquet here and in time this has become a tradition.
Traditionally, in this place the priests of the Certosa used to wait for the arrival of the sacred Image with “a torch in their hands”. This image was on its way to Florence. In particular, the Bishop Casotti tells us that, on the occasion of the 1711 procession a magnificent triumphal arch was erected to welcome the Image. The arch “was enriched by an altar, placed in the background, which displayed the rich silver colection” owned by the convent. “Under this arch all the monks knelling, in their hands carried huge torches ”.
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| Aree tematiche correlate: Tabernacles |
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