Churches: Basilica of San Miniato al Monte (Part 1 of 3)

One of the best views of Florence is atop a hill south of the Arno river.  The hill provides sweeping vistas of Florence.  The hill was once known in Latin as Mons Fiorentinus.  Today, it is called Monte alle Croci.

To reside atop the hill, there are two paths to follow.  The first path is to become a monk and join the Olivetans who live there.  Their residence is the monastery and church of San Miniato al Monte, pictured below.

The second path, one we do not recommend, is to be buried there.  Next to the church of San Miniato is a very large cemetery.

So, why is the location with the best views of Florence home to a church, monastery and cemetery, and not some Renaissance palace? 

The answer takes us back to the 3^rd century.  Minas was a Roman soldier from Armenia ad he was very tough.  He served in the army while Decius was emperor.  Minas, like many people of the time, had embraced Christianity and refused to make a sacrifice to the Roman gods.  He left the army and became a hermit on the hill Mons Fiorentinus near Florence. 

Because of Minas’s faith, Emperor Decius ordered that Minas be executed.  The first three execution attempts were unsuccessful.  Minas was put into a furnace but was unharmed.  Then, Minas was stoned but was unharmed.  Minas was next sent into Florence’s amphitheater and was joined there by a hungry panther.  The panther refused to attack Minas.  The fourth execution attempt was partially successful.  Minas was beheaded.  Following the beheading, Minas stood up, picked up his head and walked to his hermitage atop the hill across the Arno.  Minas, now San Miniato, and his namesake church rest atop the same hill today. 

Next Up:   A visit to the church.

Pop Quiz:  What other saint was martyred the same year as Minas and likewise picked up his head and carried it to his final resting place?  Hint:  Nearby is the only stadium in the world to host football and rugby world cup finals.