Orsanmichele, located on the Via Calzaiuoli in Florence, is a church with a fascinating history. It was originally built as a grain market in 1337 by Francesco Talenti, Neri di Fioravante, and Benci di Cione. Between 1380 and 1404, it was converted into a church used as the chapel of Florence's powerful craft and trade guilds (Arti). The ground floor of the square building, which originally had open arches forming a loggia-style grain market, was walled up. The second floor was devoted to offices, while the third housed one of the city's municipal grain storehouses, maintained to with...
The Museum Orsanmichele (Florence, Italy)
Orsanmichele, located on the Via Calzaiuoli in Florence, is a church with a fascinating history. It was originally built as a grain market in 1337 by Francesco Talenti, Neri di Fioravante, and Benci di Cione. Between 1380 and 1404, it was converted into a church used as the chapel of Florence's powerful craft and trade guilds (Arti). The ground floor of the square building, which originally had open arches forming a loggia-style grain market, was walled up. The second floor was devoted to offices, while the third housed one of the city's municipal grain storehouses, maintained to withstand famine or siege (Orsanmichele).
The guilds were again charged by the city in the late 14th century to commission statues of their patron saints to embellish the facades of the church. The majority of the sculptures date from 1400 to 1428, with two of the earliest from that period later replaced, in the 16th century. The sculptures seen in the exterior niches today are copies, the originals having been removed to museums, mostly the one on the upper floor of the building (Orsanmichele).
The Church and Museum of Orsanmichele are temporarily closed. However, when open, visitors can admire Renaissance masterpieces by Donatello and Verrocchio. The first floor of the building houses large statues that were once preserved in the external niches and which have all been restored, including some Renaissance masterpieces commissioned by the various Florentine Arts (Arti).
The Church of Orsanmichele is located right in the centre of Florence between Piazza della Signoria and the Duomo. It has a fascinating history: it was created in the 13th century as a loggia for the grain market and was built right above the historic little oratory of San Michele in Orto. It later returned to being a place of worship, thanks to the generosity of the Arts (Arti), who adorned the church with high level sculptures and paintings between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries. Many frescoes from the late fourteenth century adorn the columns, and the vaults are completely frescoed with characters from the Old and New Testament.
In 1339, each of the major guilds (Arti) should provide a statue of their respective patron saint to decorate the exterior of the Orsanmichele Church. The statues were originally made of wood or terracotta, but they were later replaced with more durable materials such as marble and bronze.
In conclusion, the Museum Orsanmichele in Florence, Italy is a must-visit for art lovers and history buffs alike. It offers a unique insight into the city's rich cultural heritage and the powerful guilds that shaped its development. To learn more about the masterpieces housed in this museum, visit our website
ArtsDot.
List of the Artworks exhibited in Orsanmichele Florence, Italy:
- Donatello: Saint Mark (1411-1413)
- Verrocchio: Doubting Saint Thomas (1467-1483)
- Ghiberti: Saint John the Baptist (1412-1416)
- Nanni di Banco: Sant'Eligio and San Filippo (1408-1412)