Why is the bell tower perched atop the apse, you ask? A peculiar sight, indeed, here at the Santa Maria e Santa Brigida al Paradiso. The church, a blend of Romanesque simplicity and later additions, holds within its walls centuries of Florentine history. The name itself speaks to a paradise, a moniker inherited from the nearby convent of Santa Brigida al Paradiso. This convent, established in a former villa belonging to the Alberti family, was dedicated to the followers of Saint Bridget of Sweden. These devout individuals also took charge of the parish, weaving their story into that of Santa Maria e Santa Brigida al Paradiso. Before it became a haven for nuns, the church’s history was intertwined with the Benedictine order. Back in the 12th century, it was known simply as Santa Maria di Fabroro. Monks established a small abbey here, a “badiuzza,” hence the later name Santa Maria alla Badiuzza. However, war and strife in the region forced them to abandon this idyllic spot. The Romanesque heart of Santa Maria e Santa Brigida al Paradiso is evident in its single nave and the semicircular apse where the sun’s rays pierce through a single window during the equinox. Now, about that curious bell tower. It’s said that beneath the apse, a network of tunnels and waterways hums with unseen energy. Some believe the tower’s placement, unusual and audacious, serves as a conduit. A bridge between the earthly and celestial, amplifying the energy from both realms. Inside, look for the wooden crucifix attributed to Bernardo della Cecca, a 15th-century masterpiece that adds another layer of artistry to this historic church. Santa Maria e Santa Brigida al Paradiso is a place where history whispers through its very stones, inviting you to listen and uncover its secrets.
Santa Lucia alla Castellina
“A sanctuary of art and faith””. You might say that about many places, but here at Santa Lucia alla Castellina,