Have the Nerli family left their mark on Florence? They certainly did, right here at the Chiesa di San Pietro a Sollicciano! This unassuming church, nestled in the Sollicciano neighborhood, boasts a history as rich as the frescoes that once graced its walls. The Chiesa di San Pietro a Sollicciano was first mentioned in records dating back to 1050. The Nerli family, prominent Florentine figures, held patronage over the church in its early days. But power, like the flow of the Arno, shifts and changes. In time, the Nerlis relinquished their control, ceding the Chiesa di San Pietro a Sollicciano to the Benedictine nuns of Santa Maria a Mantignano. These devout women, known for their piety and dedication, had united their order with the nuns of Sant’Apollonia in the 15th century. The year 1785 marked a turning point for the Chiesa di San Pietro a Sollicciano when it was elevated to the status of a priory, a significant promotion in the ecclesiastical hierarchy. Today, the church serves as a vibrant parish, its doors open to the community, its spirit echoing with centuries of faith and devotion. Sadly, two artworks that once graced the Chiesa di San Pietro a Sollicciano, Giovanni del Biondo’s “Madonna col Bambino” and a 17th-century reliquary of Saint Apollonia, now reside in the diocesan depositories. Their absence serves as a reminder of the ebb and flow of history, how even the most beautiful treasures can become hidden, waiting to be rediscovered and appreciated anew.
Santa Lucia alla Castellina
“A sanctuary of art and faith””. You might say that about many places, but here at Santa Lucia alla Castellina,