Basilica San Miniato al Monte

Basilica San Miniato al Monte

Basilica San Miniato al Monte
4.5
Historic SitesArchitectural BuildingsLookoutsReligious Sites
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM, 3:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
3:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
3:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
3:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
3:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
3:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
3:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
3:30 PM - 7:00 PM
About
Situated on a hill (monte) outside Florence with unsurpassed views of the city, this structure is one of the finest examples of Tuscan Romanesque architecture, built between the 11th and 13th centuries.
Duration: < 1 hour
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Plan your visit
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Piazzale Michelangelo
Just outside the ancient walls of Florence, Viale Michelangiolo starts. It is a winding road rimmed by wonderful poplars and holm oaks. The long ascent opens up to the most beautiful and famous panoramic viewpoint of Florence: Piazzale Michelangelo, where an elevated terrace offers visitors an incomparable and breathtaking view of the entire city from above. During good weather, Piazzale Michelangelo provides visitors with a serene space surrounded by the amazing landscape, better if accompanied by a fresh gelato from a local kiosk. During night, visitors will be dazzled by the warm lights of the capital of the Renaissance. Spend a second with the silent Romanesque beauty of the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte: the one that wishes good morning and good night to Florence!
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See what travellers are saying
  • John doe
    Glasgow, United Kingdom14 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice!
    Great views. Beautiful Romanesque basilica with beautiful chapel to rear. Gregorian chants 6:30pm days for half an hours chill time away from the tourist trail chain gang
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 22 September 2023
  • Oana F
    Cluj-Napoca, Romania109 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Incredible view of Florence
    It’s totally worth going up the hill across the Arno river for the view. You get the postcard perfect panorama of Florence. The church itself is also gorgeous, Romanic from the start of the 11th century, with some of the original frescos still intact.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 28 September 2023
  • mashie44
    Belgium150 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Chanting is at 6.30, ignore the guides that say 4.30. Worth it! And great views.
    The widely-published info on hours of monks charting is incorrect. They chant at 6.30 each day. We arrived at 4.30 (as all online guides we found said this was the time for chanting in winter). At 4.45 asked the man at the door who said it is always 6.30. So we came back a couple of days later and did enjoy it. The church is cold if you sit for long. The floor is lovely (zodiac mosaic). Interesting restoration work currently going on. Well worth the short walk up from Piazzale Michelangelo, and has even better views of the city
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 22 February 2024
  • Elizabeth C
    5 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful views, 1000 year old church
    Perched on the highest point above Florence, the views were terrific. It is a climb, so wear comfortable shoes. We hoped to hear the chants at 6, but there were no chants that day. Church was built in 11th century and it’s really something to think it’s been in service for nearly 1000 yrs. Went here first, then went back down via Piazza Michaelangelo.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 2 May 2024
  • Kennette B
    35 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The sound of Florence
    This is a beautiful place that harkens to an older Florence where religion was essential and life was slow and elemental. The views from the courtyard are wonderful, and as we went late in the day for the chants, we were treated to a glorious sunset over the rooftops. The interior of the church was austere, and we had no trouble following our ears to the monks. There were not many of them, but the acoustics are such that each voice was multiplied. The walk down was more pleasant than the walk up, but the effort was more than rewarded by a wonderful memory.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 29 May 2024
  • Jamie
    10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful church with singing monks
    A lovely church on the top of the hill. We were there in time for Vespers and got to hear the monks sing a Gregorian chant. Amazing experience! If you’re walking up from Florence be prepared for a pretty steep ascent!
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 18 June 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles5,410 reviews
Excellent
4,187
Very good
1,046
Average
155
Poor
15
Terrible
7

Fiona
87 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019 • Solo
A 5 minute walk from Piazzale Michelangelo, it’s worth making extra time to see this gem. The views over Florence from the front steps are spectacular (go at sunset for extra gorgeousness), and inside are gorgeous frescoes and a spectacular mosaic behind the altar. The atmosphere inside is peaceful and contemplative and a perfect way to take a break from the tourist hustle and bustle of Piazzale Michelangelo. Don’t miss this gorgeous church.
Written 23 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

McKenna N
Gainesville, FL118 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2020
Make the trek up to San Miniato. We took the bus, which was a lovely ride, and walked the rest of the way from David's plaza. It's hike, but it's worth it. We were there at 5pm in July, and there were only a few other people. The view is stunning, and you get it all to yourself!

Check the church schedule and go to mass. When else will you get to watch monks sing in Gregorian chant in a basilica crypt? I know, it sounds dull, but it's actually really cool and a great way to spend a bit of time.

Don't leave without visiting the gift shop. Everything is made by the monks, from the gorgeous pottery, to the handmade soap, to the delicious gelato (the best I've ever had).

If you visit for the evening service, you can walk down the mountain and see the city in sunset. It's just lovely!
Written 17 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stefan G
Washington DC, DC1,072 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2020
Another beautiful basilica in Italy. If you come around 630 in the evening, you can sit and listen to Vespers. Staff may ask you to leave if you're just visiting, so say you're there for Vespers and enjoy the chanting and the inside of the basilica! If walking from the city, note the basilica is up on a hill and there are many steps to climb to get here.
Written 16 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Roger Montala
Valls, Spain383 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021 • Couples
It is quite popular to go to piazzale Michelangelo, but if you walk some more, you can get to this church at the top of the hill.
The views are even better, and you can visit the church for free! (something unusual in Florence).

We even got the chance to hear some people singing inside
Written 7 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

iris64
Budapest193 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
If you decide to go up to Piazzale Michelangelo do not miss this church. It is a short walk from piazzale, if you are not keen on climbing steps you can walk up to the church on a side road. San Miniato has a special atmoshpere, beautiful frescos on the wall and an amazing dome decorated with gold mosaic Entrance is free. There is a very interesting and old cemetery just beneath the church.
Written 3 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Robert B
Saratoga Springs, NY1,048 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
Constant Companion and I had made our way up to Pizzale Michelangelo on our final day in Florence. Once there we also visited the Basilica San Miniato al Monte. Folklore has it that Miniato, a Christian Armenian prince, was ordered to be thrown to the beasts by the Emperor Decius. When a panther refused to consume him the Emperor ordered him beheaded. It was then that Miniato supposedly picked up his own head and walked up to his hermitage on the hill. Interesting stuff!
The Basilica was begun around 1013. We found it noteworthy for the beautiful glazed terracotta decorations by della Robbia in the vault as well as the crucifix by him on the High Altar! The bones of St. Miniato may or may not be in this High Altar too. Outside is a massive and lovely cemetery containing such notable people as Carlo Collodi, the creator of Pinocchio, and Physicist Bruno Benedetto Rossi among others. The stunning green and white marble exterior will no doubt attract you to visit as well if you decide to meander up to the Pizzale Michelangelo. It is worth it!
Written 8 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bill B
Pueblo, CO1,374 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
My partner and I visited the is a Basilica which stands at one of the highest points in Florence. From all we read before the visit it is described as one of the finest Romanesque structures in Tuscany and I would have to agree. It has to also be one of the most scenic churches in Italy as the views are incredible. The mosaic depicting St. Miniato to the right of Christ holding a crown is stunning.
Written 14 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Madeline
Oxford, UK29 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
We sat in the garden below the church in a little field of daisies. We spent hours here eating strawberries, chatting, napping and listening to music. This is FREE (that is for you college students) and was probably one of the best things I did on my whole vacation.
Written 17 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bourlingueur
Albany, NY642 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
San Miniato is one of my favorite places in Florence. It is beautiful and it is a real, spiritual place. They do not charge an admission fee! It was built 1000 years ago and it did not receive a redo during the Renaissance. It is similar to the beautiful Duomo in Fiesole. The Olivetan Benedictine Monks do some of the daily office publicly here. We attended vespers and Mass on a Sunday evening. The priest sang beautifully. Most of the Mass was in Latin, but the readings were in Italian.
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marla7
Naas, Ireland824 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2021
San Miniato al Monte is one of my favourite places in Florence. I was obsessed with it even before seeing it in person, and I sometimes even dream of it! It's a beautiful building with a unique atmosphere and from the outside you get amazing views of Florence. It's only a few minutes walk from Piazzale Michelangelo so make sure you go up if you've already made that climb. Entrance is also free, and it is rarely crowded.
Written 14 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Basilica San Miniato al Monte, Florence

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