The church of Orsanmichele

You can reach the church of Orsanmichele from Piazza del Duomo (cathedral) by walking down Via dei Calzaiuoli. The church stands opposite the church of San Carlo dei Lombardi, but the entrance that is usually open is on the opposite side, on Via dell'Arte della Lana.

Address: 13 Via Calzaiuoli.

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 8:30–18:30; Sunday, 8:30–12:20 and 13:30–18:30. Closed on Monday.

Admission: €10 (church and museum).

The original oratory stood in the garden of the abbey, hence its name San Michele in Orto (garden).

 

It was replaced by a grain hall, one pillar of which bore a highly venerated image of the Virgin. In 1304 the present building was constructed, but while a church still occupied the ground floor, the upper floors kept their function as a wheat granary.

 

The facade was decorated with statues of the patron saints of the various guilds. The originals are in various museums in Florence. You can nonetheless admire the replicas of Saint John the Baptist and of Saint Matthew by Lorenzo Ghiberti, of Saint Mark by Donatello, and of the Incredulity of Saint Thomas by Verrocchio.

The interior is a fine example of medieval architecture. The frescoes on the vaults and the pillars date from the 15th century. But the major work is the extraordinary tabernacle of Andrea Orcagna. Entirely of marble, inlaid with hard stones, it houses the Madonna of the Lauds by Bernardo Daddi.