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Art History History | Cloister Orange Trees

The Church and Cloister of the Badia Fiorentina in Florence

Cloister of the Orangers Badia Fiorentina built by Bernardo Rossellino 1432-1438 Frescoes Giovanni di Consalvo

Cloister of the Orangers The church and abbey of the Badia Fiorentina were founded in 978 by the Marquise Willa of Tuscany, mother of the Marquis Ugo of Tuscany, whose sarcophagus is integrated into the funerary monument that was created in his honour by Mino de Fiesole and is located on the left as you enter the church, just before the choir.

The Benedictine abbey, a Cluny foundation, became one of the most important places in the spiritual life of Florence until it was abolished by Napoleon.

In the 19th century, after it closed, the abbey buildings were divided up and occupied by administrative and private services.

In 1998, the Badia Fiorentina was entrusted to the Monastic Fraternity of Jerusalem.

Choir and lectern in carved wood of the Presbyterium by Francesco and Marco del Tasso, 1502, church of the Badia Fiorentina in Florence, Italy

Choir and Presbyterium lectern According to the "Vita Nuova", it was in this church that Dante saw Beatrice Portinari for the first time during mass. The famous Florentine writer Giovanni Boccaccio, Boccaccio, author of the Decameron, gave readings of the Divine Comedy in the church of the Badia Fiorentina.

The current Gothic Bell Tower, built on the site of the 10th century one, is the work of Arnolfo di Cambio. Arnolfo di Cambio also restructured the church in 1285.

The current church, with its Greek cross plan, is the result of the restructuring by the architect Matteo di Marco Segaloni, carried out from 1628 to 1660/1670.

A complete restructuring since it profoundly modified Arnolfo di Cambio's plan, which was in the shape of a Latin cross.

Onofrio Zeffirini da Cortona organ from 1558, Badia Fiorentina church in Florence, Italy

Badia Fiorentina organ The orientation of the church was changed with a 90-degree rotation and the construction of a new choir facing south.

The superb wooden ceiling with carved octagonal and rectangular coffers is the work of Felice Gamberai and was made between 1628 and 1631.

Inside the choir are 32 walnut stalls, engraved and inlaid.

The particularly beautiful organ is also one of the few organs by Onofrio Zeffirini da Cortona that can still be seen. It was made by the Master in 1558.

The organ cantors' gallery was sculpted, painted and gilded by Felice Gamberai.