Badia A Settimo: A Tuscan Benedictine Treasure

Badia A Settimo, also known as Abbazia dei Santi Salvatore e Lorenzo a Settimo, stands as a testament to Tuscany's rich religious and cultural heritage. Founded in 1004 as a Cluniac Benedictine abbey, it has witnessed centuries of Florentine history. The abbey is located in the Piana di Settimo, an area with a long history intimately connected to Florence. In 1236, Pope Gregory IX entrusted the monastery to the Cistercians, marking a new chapter in its history. The abbey's architecture reflects different periods, with Romanesque elements in the irregular decorations, Gothic influences in the rose window, and Renaissance touches in the portals. Inside, the basilica features three naves and glazed terracotta works by Buglioni. Two chapels, one dedicated to St. James with frescoes by the Maestro di Santa Cecilia (1300s) and the other to St. Quentin with frescoes by Giovanni da San Giovanni (1629), add to the artistic richness. Other artworks include the Martyrdom of St. Lawrence by Domenico Buti, medallions by Domenico Ghirlandaio, and a tabernacle by Giuliano Da Maiano. Badia A Settimo faced devastation during the siege of Florence in 1529-30. In 1783, the complex was divided, with monks exiled and parts sold to private individuals. Today, the restored section is open to the public on Sunday afternoons or by appointment. The abbey stands as a reminder of the area's historical and spiritual significance.