Monday, September 11, 2017

Churches: San Frediano in Cestello

San Frediano in Cestello is an imposing church along the Arno river in Florence.  The church was built on the site of an earlier church and was completed in 1689.  The architectural style of the church is Baroque. 

The church's namesake was an Irish prince in the 500's who became a priest and later traveled to Italy where he eventually became bishop of nearby Lucca.  The legend is that he safely crossed the rushing Arno river near where the church stands.   

San Frediano in Cestello:  Exterior view

San Frediano in Cestello:  View of the dome and bell tower

San Frediano in Cestello:  View of the main altar

San Frediano in Cestello:  View of the crucifix above the altar

Crocifissione con i santi e il Martirio di San Lorenzo ("The Crucifixion with saints and the martyr St. Laurence")
Madonna in gloria e santi ("The Madonna in glory and saints")

San Frediano in Cestello:  View of the organ over the church's main entrance
Perhaps the best feature of the church is the interior of the dome picture below. 

San Frediano in Cestello:  View of the interior dome of the church
According to CatholicSaints.info, "The River Serchio frequently flooded the town of Lucca.  Legend says that when the citizens called on [Frediano] for aid, he asked for a rake or hoe, prayed over it, ordered the river to follow him, then dug a new, safe course for the river by dragging the tool through the dirt." 

Who knew?

No comments: