Churches: Orsanmichele

Orsanmichele is a very old church in the heart of Florence, built in 1337.  The location of the church is the former orto (garden) of Saint Michael's monastery, hence the name Orsanmichele.

Originally, the 3-story building served as a granary.  The city decided it needed a grain market with another very large storage space.  The ground level served as the market for unloading and loading grain.  Grain was stored on the top floor and the middle floor served as offices.  The city wanted a large reserve of grain in case of a famine or long siege.

Grain was moved from the top floor to the ground level through chutes inside the supporting pillars.  An opening on the ground floor (pictured below) allowed the grain to load into a large basket on a cart. 

Near the end of the 1300's, the building was converted into a church.  It was the chapel for the many guilds of Florence.  The guilds were a potent political force in Florence and their members, wealthy merchants, wanted to showcase their prestige.  So, the church was ornately decorated inside and out.  Along the outside wall, each guild commissioned a statue by an eminent sculptor.  Each statue was the patron saint of the relevant guild.  Each statue was set in a niche so passersby could view and marvel at the statues. 

Jesus Baptizing St. Thomas by Andrea del Verrocchio (1483).  The Tribunale della Mercanzia, the court for resolving disputes between guilds, commissioned the work.

Quattro Santi Coronati (Four Crowned Saints) by Nanni di Banco (1410-1414).  The sculpture was commissioned by the Stone Masons and Woodworkers Guild, who are depicted below the saints.

San Giogio (St. George) by Donatello (1417-1418).  The sculpture was appropriately commissioned by the Armorer's and Sword Makers Guild.

The symbol of Florence (glazed terracotta)

Today, replicas occupy the outdoor niches.  The original statues have been moved indoors for protection from the elements and vandalism.  Most are located on the middle floor of Orsanmichele, where photographs are not allowed.  Below is a borrowed photo of the actual statues.

The church is located on the ground floor and is ornately decorated with frescoes, paintings and sculptures. 

The main altar of Orsanmichele

The tabernacle by Orcagna (1359)

Madonna and Child with Angels (or Madonna of the Graces) by Bernardo Daddi (1346-1347).  Daddi's painting replaced two earlier paintings each known as the Madonna of the Gaces that had been destroyed.  The earlier paintings were associated with miracles and a vision of the Madonna.  The replacement by Daddi was likewise revered and was placed in the ornate tabernacle. 

 

Thanks for visiting Orsanmichele with us. 

 
P.S.  From Florence is You! (July-August 2017):