Beautiful Tuscany

San Miniato was also situated along the famous Via Francigena, which connected the western part of Europe to Rome in the Middle Ages. In the area of San Miniato there are traces of the Etruscans and the Romans: near the town Fontevivi some Etruscan ruins and near the town Antonini a Roman villa.San Miniato was founded in the 8th century when a church was built in honour of the martyr Miniato. Ottone I of Sassonia made of San Miniato an administrative centre of this imperial and in 1218 Federico II of Svevia built a castle. At the end of the 14th century San Miniato was part of the Florentine Republic. The town grew quickly in the 19th century. During the Second World War the castle of Federico II was bombed by the Germans and a big part of the medieval districts too. In 1957 the castle was rebuilt and later the destroyed districts were also rebuilt.

Monuments, museums and churches

Convento and Chiesa di S. Francesco
Big complex built in 1211 and built out through the time. Here you can find artworks of the 17th and 18th century. Chiesa di Santa Caterina This church was built in the 8th century. Inside there is a sculpture of San Nicola and a cross of the workshop of Giovanni Pisano.

Chiesa del SS. Crocifisso
This church was built between 1708 and 1718 and is called after a cross which was left behind by two travellers in the 11th century.

Palazzo del Seminario
This building was opened in 1713 and is especially famous for its fresco of the artist Francesco di Pietro Chimenti.

Cattedrale
The cathedral was built in the 8th century and renovated between 1220 and 1250. In the 14th century this church was used as a weapon deposit and in 1489 it was renovated again. Inside there are precious paintings, frescoes and sculptures. In 1944 the church was bombed by the Germans and 50 people tragically died.

Palazzo Vescovile and Palazzo dei Vicari
Buildings from the 8th and 9th century. Torre di Federico II: this tower was built between 1217 and 1221. It was completely destroyed by the Germans in 1944 and rebuilt again in 1958. Several centuries ago this tower was also used as a prison.

Museo Diocesano
This museum was opened in 1966 and is situated in the old sacristy of the cathedral. Inside there are hundreds of artworks of for example Filippo Lippi, Neri di Bicci and Fra' Bartolomeo.

Opening hours Museo DiocesanoWinter: Saturday and Sunday 9 - 12 and 2.30 - 5 pm
Summer: daily except on Monday: 9 - 12 and 3 – 6 pm
Piazza del Duomo San Miniato Tel +39 0571 418071

Palazzo Roffia
This building is from the second half of the 15th century and was built on old houses from the 14th century and restored between 1600 and 1700. Inside you can admire for example Vergine col Bambino of Boticelli.

Opening hours Palazzo Roffia
Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays 10 am – 6 pm;
Opening hours summer: 10 am – 7 pm.
via Augusto Conti 40-42 San Miniato Tel +39 0571 406700

Palazzo Grifoni
This building is from the first half of the 16th century and has a Florentine style. There are regularly art expositions and readings.

Chiesa di San Domenico
This church already existed in the 6th century. The convent was built in 1345 and completed in 1660. The façade dates back to the end of the 15th century. Inside there are many frescoes and paintings like for example the painting of Domenico Michelino: La Vergine col Bambino e i Santi (the virgin with child and saints).

Palazzo Formichini
This building is from the end of the 16th century. In this building there are important artworks which are property of the bank Cassa di Risparmio di San Miniato.

Chiesa della SS Annunziata
This church was built in 1522. Inside there are paintings of the 17th and 18th century.Convento di Santa Chiara This convent was built in 1226. The original clocktower is still intact. Inside the convent there are some important artworks: Il Noli me tangere of Ludovico Cardi also called Cigoli and two painted crosses, one of Deodato Orlandi and the other from an artist from Siena. Sometimes concerts are held in the convent.