How often do miracles occur in the hustle and bustle of a city? Right before you stands the Colonna di San Zanobi, a silent witness to just such a miracle. This unassuming column, crowned with a wrought iron elm tree, marks the spot where a dead tree burst into bloom. The story goes that in 429 AD, the body of Saint Zenobius, the beloved bishop of Florence, was being moved from the Basilica of San Lorenzo to the church of Santa Reparata. As the procession passed through the square, the coffin brushed against a withered elm tree. To the astonishment of the onlookers, the tree instantly sprang back to life, bursting into leaf and flower. This miracle cemented the sainthood of Zenobius in the eyes of the Florentines. The Colonna di San Zanobi was erected as a lasting memorial to this event. Even though the original column was destroyed in a flood in 1333, a new one was built in its place a year later. Take a moment to admire the intricate ironwork of the elm and imagine the scene: the solemn procession, the sudden burst of life, and the awe of the people witnessing a miracle right here in the heart of Florence.
Santa Lucia alla Castellina
“A sanctuary of art and faith””. You might say that about many places, but here at Santa Lucia alla Castellina,