Chiesa di San Matteo in Arcetri

The name “Arcetri” echoes with whispers of ancient times, doesn’t it? Here, before the Chiesa di San Matteo in Arcetri, we’re standing on grounds marked by the phrase “Arce Veteri,” meaning “old fortress.” The Chiesa di San Matteo itself may not be a fortress, but it holds stories as captivating as any ancient stronghold. Long ago, in 1240, the Augustinian hermits established a haven of peace on this very hill. Imagine their humble abode, eventually transforming into a monastery for nuns of the same order by 1269. Over the centuries, the Chiesa di San Matteo witnessed the ebb and flow of religious orders. The Augustinians made way for the Clarisse, who in turn, relinquished their place to the convent of San Francesco di Paola. Finally, in 1897, Carmelite friars from San Paolino made the Chiesa di San Matteo their spiritual home. But the story doesn’t end there. The Chiesa di San Matteo holds a special connection to one of history’s greatest minds: Galileo Galilei. His daughters, born to Marina Gamba, found solace within these very walls. Livia, later known as Suor Arcangela, and Virginia, who took the name Suor Maria Celeste, spent their days in the shadow of the Chiesa di San Matteo. Imagine Suor Maria Celeste, penning heartfelt letters to her beloved father, Galileo, who spent his twilight years in the nearby Villa Il Gioiello. The Chiesa di San Matteo in Arcetri is a testament to the enduring power of faith, family, and the pursuit of knowledge.