Buildings

Badia a Settimo

The Badia a Settimo (today known as the abbey of Santi Salvatore e Lorenzo a Settimo) was founded around the year 1000 west of Florence as a Benedictine abbey that was later transferred to the Cistercian Order. The surviving church is a largely Romanesque basilica with later Gothic and Renaissance alterations, forming the center of a fortified monastic complex that remained one of the most important religious institutions in the Florentine contado. It had connections to the parish church of San Frediano in Florence, which it administered for part of itsSo medieval period.

Affiliations (2 total)
  • Benedictines (OSB)
  • Cistercians
Database ID 164

Location

Alternate Names

  • Abbazia dei Santi Salvatore e Lorenzo a Settimo
  • Badia di S. Salvatore a Settimo

Dates

year 998 or 1004 a
foundation
February 23rd, 1068 b
1210 c
construction
March 18th, 1236 d
property
1315 e
construction
1400s f
construction
1529 g
function
1664 h
renovation

Affiliated Groups (2 total)

monaci benedettini nella Badia a Settimo
circa year 998 (date is approximate) to June 16th, 1236
monaci cistercensi nella Badia a Settimo
June 17th, 1326 to October 1529

Spaces (1 total)

Memorials (1 total)

Sources (1 total)

G. Richa, Notizie istoriche delle chiese fiorentine vol. 9, pp. 191–235

Notes

  • [a] A Benedictine abbey was founded by the Cadolingi family, though there is debate between whether this was in 998 or 1004.
  • [b] In 1068, S. Piero Igneo had his famous trial by fire, which increased the abbey’s prestige.
  • [c] An inscription on the campanile likely refers to the bell tower's completion.
  • [d] Pope Gregory IX gave the abbey to the Cistercians of San Galgano.
  • [e] A chapel dedicated to San Jacopo was built and later decorated with frescoes attributed to Buffalmacco.
  • [f] The large cloister was built during the fifteenth century and decorated with frescoes by Domenico Ghirlandaio.
  • [g] During the Siege of Florence the monastic community abandoned the abbey and took up residence in San Frediano in Florence.
  • [h] The church underwent significant renovation in the mid-seventeenth century that included a new portico.