Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista della Calza

On this very spot, centuries ago, stood a humble hospice for pilgrims, a beacon of respite on the bustling pilgrimage routes to Rome. This, my friends, is the Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista della Calza, a place steeped in history and intrigue. Don’t let its unassuming facade fool you! This church has seen more transformations than a Florentine fashion show. From humble beginnings as a hospice dedicated to San Niccolò “dei Frieri”, it was passed on to the Knights Hospitaller of Jerusalem. Imagine, noble knights, their armor gleaming in the Tuscan sun, seeking refuge within these very walls. But the knights’ reign was short-lived. They entrusted the building to the newly formed order of the Knights Hospitaller nuns. These women, embracing a life of piety and service, were forced to flee during the tumultuous siege of Florence in 1529. After the siege, Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista della Calza found a new tenant – the Ingesuati friars. These resourceful artisans with their signature sock-like hoods, the “frati della calza”, gave the church its present-day name and, more importantly, adorned it with beautiful art. Works by Perugino and Ghirlandaio once graced this very altar, only to be whisked away centuries later to the Uffizi Gallery, reminders of a vibrant past. Over time, the church served many masters. It housed the Pious House of Refuge of San Filippo Neri, echoing with the charitable works of the Monellini. It was even a haven for aspiring young clergymen from the countryside, their dreams as vast as the Tuscan sky. Today, the Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista della Calza stands as a silent witness to the ebb and flow of history. It is a testament to faith, resilience, and the enduring spirit of Florence.