The beautiful medieval town of Pistoia is characterised by colourful iconic buildings such as the octagonal Baptistery and the Duomo. However, just a stone's throw away is the lovely little Church of San Leone. This little gem, sometimes referred to as a “little Sistine Chapel” is a building with origins in the 14th century and a long history of alterations and adornments stretching into the 18th century. Only recently restored and reopened, its not to be missed!
Why not find a Tuscan luxury villa nearby and spend a leisurely day discovering this and the other little secrets Pistoia has to offer?
Why not find a Tuscan luxury villa nearby and spend a leisurely day discovering this and the other little secrets Pistoia has to offer?
The Church of San Leone, or Chiesa di San Leone, was founded in 1379 by a congregation of secular devotees from Santo Spirito and built using the donations of Jacopo Berti and his associates.
Over the years and centuries following, the group's prestige and fortunes increased.
Enlargements and decorating schemes were added subsequently in the 16th to the 18th centuries.
The biggest works began with the buying of lands around the church and the expansion of the site. It was decided to use this space to enlarge the church itself and, while they were at it, redecorate and update the building.
The architect in charge of the project was Raffaello Ulivi and he arranged the structure on a new plan of a single, three bay basilica with a flattened barrel vault across the nave plus a choir with a ribbed vault.
The painted scheme which was added to the building at this time was provided by a celebrated duo from Florence who were commissioned to come to the town and decorate the church. Vincenzo Meucci painted the frescoes and Giuseppe del Moro painted the illusionistic panels on the roof.
Over the years and centuries following, the group's prestige and fortunes increased.
Enlargements and decorating schemes were added subsequently in the 16th to the 18th centuries.
The biggest works began with the buying of lands around the church and the expansion of the site. It was decided to use this space to enlarge the church itself and, while they were at it, redecorate and update the building.
The architect in charge of the project was Raffaello Ulivi and he arranged the structure on a new plan of a single, three bay basilica with a flattened barrel vault across the nave plus a choir with a ribbed vault.
The painted scheme which was added to the building at this time was provided by a celebrated duo from Florence who were commissioned to come to the town and decorate the church. Vincenzo Meucci painted the frescoes and Giuseppe del Moro painted the illusionistic panels on the roof.
The choir vault was decorated with an image of the Pentecost and the surrounding lunettes were filled with personifications of the Cardinal Virtues of Fortitude, Temperance, Prudence and Justice and, at the centre of the nave was placed the image of the Glory of St Peter.
Work, however, was not finished by their hands as there were schedule conflicts. It was left up to local artisans to finish in their stead.
In the side altars of the nave are earlier works from the 17th century. One features an image of the Ascension by Stefano Marucelli for the Bronconi family and the other is a scene of the Resurrection of Christ by Giovanni Lanfranchi for the Arfaruoli family.
As mentioned, this beautiful Carmine church with its extraordinary Baroque-Rococo interior, has only been very recently restored and reopened and now houses exhibitions.
Located in the city centre and only a short walk from the Duomo, it is well worth stopping by and having a look. It truly is one of Pistoia's hidden treasures.
Work, however, was not finished by their hands as there were schedule conflicts. It was left up to local artisans to finish in their stead.
In the side altars of the nave are earlier works from the 17th century. One features an image of the Ascension by Stefano Marucelli for the Bronconi family and the other is a scene of the Resurrection of Christ by Giovanni Lanfranchi for the Arfaruoli family.
As mentioned, this beautiful Carmine church with its extraordinary Baroque-Rococo interior, has only been very recently restored and reopened and now houses exhibitions.
Located in the city centre and only a short walk from the Duomo, it is well worth stopping by and having a look. It truly is one of Pistoia's hidden treasures.
Photo credits
picture 1: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 1: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
