It was built in 1276 on top of a small temple erected in 783 in honor of San Miniato by the will of the Lombards. It is said that in 1211, St. Francis, a guest at that time in San Miniato, received this place as a gift, where he decided to found his convent... #tuttitaly
The convent of San Francesco in San Miniato is rich in history and spirituality. Built-in 1276, it has undergone several phases of transformation over the centuries. Its origins date back to 783 when the Lombards erected a small temple in honor of San Miniato.
Legend has it that in 1211, San Francesco, a guest in San Miniato, received this place as a gift and decided to build his convent there. Initially, the church and some rooms for the convent and sacristy were built.
During the sixteenth century, a residential area was added above the cloister attached to the church, an old refectory was transformed into a gym, and a chapel dedicated to Ludovico d'Angiò was built. The first abbey, called the "fathers' cloister," housed cells, corridors, and a large refectory, where the famous "Franciscan Dinner" was painted by Carlo Bambocci in 1690.
The second cloister, the "novices' cloister," was built towards the end of the seventeenth century. Over the following centuries, the Franciscan community endured difficult periods, and the chapel dedicated to Ludovico d'Angiò was transformed into an olive press. During wars, the convent was also used for military and healthcare purposes.
Despite the ups and downs, thanks to the intervention of the local population, the convent was returned to the friars and today represents an essential place of worship and historical interest. Every year, numerous tourists and faithful visit it to admire its beauty and breathe in the atmosphere of spirituality that pervades these ancient walls.
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