Unknown, Interior of San Miniato al Monte, ca. 1062-1090, Architecture, Florence, Italy, Romanesque Period
The San Miniato al Monte is an Italian Basilica (church/religious site) and the body of it was officially finished in 1090 AD. However, the facade was not completed till the early 13th Century.
The name of it derives from the legend of Saint Miniatos, a christian martyr who was once a prince or a king, was killed by the roman emperor Decius. At the time, Decius was persecuting the Christians and Miniatos had declared himself to live as a hermit while believing in Christianity. Accorsing to legend it is said that after he was torutred and killed by having his head cut off, he picked up his own head (a Christian sign of martyrdom) and walked to the area where the basilica is located.
The structure is composed mainly of:
1) The Nave = Long hall/walkway
2) Crypt = Where Miniatos' relics are kept), Pulpit (raised platform where the preacher delivers a sermon
3) Apse = Semi-circle dome structure
6) Chapel of Cardinal Portugal
The structure itself is made up of marble pillars (some of the marble was imported from the Roman baths). The basilica is symmetrical when excluding the extensions of the bellower and chapel. There are geometric patters on the floor tiles and there is a reappearance of corinthian capitals on the pillars as well as the large Roman arches connected to the roof that divided the basilica into three main sections.
The building features various artworks for votive purposes such as frescos, altar pieces, sculptures and mosaics (i.e. the apse). These works were collected over time but the first contributions to the church came form the Carolingian Emperor Charlemagne, who donated some of his properties to it. Then the Holy Roman Emperor Henry II gave financial support along with his wife.
Overall, this structure was built to honor a christian martyr and exemplifies the Italian Romanesque art that was primarily "to serve God". It was greatly recognized by the pope and is allowed to have ceremonies carried out inside. It also shows that during that period, lavish architecture in that period was no longer restricted.
Hoving, Thomas P. F. "Italian Romanesque Sculpture." Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin. 23.10 (1965): 345-348. Print. http://0-www.jstor.org.library.scad.edu/ stable/3258171.
D’Onofrio, Mario. "Florence, §IV: Buildings." oxfordartonline.com. Oxford University Press. Web. 11 Nov 2013. http://0-www.oxfordartonline.com.library.scad.edu/ subscriber/article/grove/art/T028591pg4
Kleiner, Fred S. Gardner's Art Through the Ages: A Global History. 13th ed. 1&2. Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2009. 452. Print.
Spanswick, Valerie. "Romanesque." smarthistory.khanacademy.org. N.p.. Web. 11 Nov 2013. <http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/Romanesque.html>
