19/08/2026
Church of San Francesco, Fiesole
The Church and Convent of San Francesco stands on the hilltop of Fiesole, overlooking Florence. The site has a remarkably long history, going back to Etruscan and Roman times.
* The hill was once an Etruscan acropolis and later became part of the Roman settlement.
* In the medieval period, a fortress stood here, which was destroyed by the Florentines in 1125.
* The religious history of the site began around 1225, when Augustinian nuns established a small convent here.
* In 1399, Franciscan friars took over the complex, giving it its connection with St. Francis.
* The famous St. Bernardino of Siena stayed here and served as guardian of the convent in 1418. His small cell is still preserved.
* The church was extensively restored between 1905 and 1907 by architect Giuseppe Castellucci, giving the façade much of its present Neo-Gothic appearance.
What makes this place especially fascinating is that the same hilltop carries layers of history from Etruscan, Roman, medieval, and Franciscan times—all overlooking the beautiful city of Florence. 🇮🇹
