Margaret, I enjoyed your piece on San Miniato. It is one of my favorite churches also. Colleen and I walked up that very steep staircase, stopping along the way to look at the view and to make sure my heart didn't explode out of my chest. Man, I'm in bad shape! I usually take another route, zigzagging the "terraces" up to Pza Michelangelo and then up the street and other stairs to San Miniato. Either way, the view is breathtaking! We were there for 5:30PM vespers, really kind of eerie down there in the crypt.
Love the frescoes too, we put the €1,00 in the light machine but the room didn't light up.
When I was there in 2007 (Oct.) the cemetery was open and I enjoyed walking around, reading the names of the Florentines who are buried there. Love the electric candles!
I bought some honey from the little gift shop.
thank you for your report! Here's a photo of some of the dearly departed...
I too love this church as well as the walk up the hill to reach it. There's something about leaving the city, walking along the wall in near total quiet, then climbing that staircase ... it's all very dramatic.
The last time I was there, a couple of years ago over New Years, I was disappointed in the behavior of some of my fellow tourists yet, at the same time, impressed with the concentration (or was it restraint?) of the monks. During their chanting several observers were talking (loudly) and taking pictures, seemingly unaware that this is a religious service, not a performance put on for their benefit. The monks pressed on as if it wasn't happening; I suppose, unfortunately, that they are used to it.
ellen
Posts: 3632 | Location: mahwah, new jersey, usa | Registered: 10 December 2003
Slow Travel Talk 
Man, I'm in bad shape! I usually take another route, zigzagging the "terraces" up to Pza Michelangelo and then up the street and other stairs to San Miniato. Either way, the view is breathtaking! We were there for 5:30PM vespers, really kind of eerie down there in the crypt.
