Amidst the bustling heart of Florence, stands the Chiesa dei Santi Simone e Giuda. A silent sentinel to centuries of Florentine history, the Chiesa dei Santi Simone e Giuda whispers tales of devotion and disaster. Constructed in 1243, this unassuming church replaced a smaller oratory built by Benedictine monks. Tragedy struck in 1557 when Florence was ravaged by floods. The Chiesa dei Santi Simone e Giuda suffered significant damage. Yet, like the resilient spirit of the city, it was restored by 1630. A knight of Malta, Bartolomeo Galilei, financed the restoration. His generosity is echoed in the church’s breathtaking wooden ceiling–a masterpiece of green and gold, adorned with the Maltese cross and the Galilei family crest. Today, the Chiesa dei Santi Simone e Giuda serves as a sanctuary for the Ukrainian Greek Catholic community. Its walls, once resonating with Gregorian chants, now echo with the melodies of the Divine Liturgy in the Byzantine rite. Within the Chiesa dei Santi Simone e Giuda’s embrace, the threads of history, art, and faith intertwine, creating a tapestry as rich and vibrant as Florence itself.
Santa Lucia alla Castellina
“A sanctuary of art and faith””. You might say that about many places, but here at Santa Lucia alla Castellina,