Italy—Emilia Romagna and Tuscany—1

Collegiate Basilica of St. Mary Major, Bologna, Emilia Romagna

Considered a minor basilica for centuries.

A church has been here since the 6^th Century, but the current church dates to the 11^th Century. The church was renovated in the 15^th and 17^th Centuries. It was deconsecrated for a large portion of the 19^th Century before once again becoming a parish church.

All pictures are from Wikipedia.

Basilica of St. Petronius, Bologna, Emilia Romagna

Considered a minor basilica for centuries.

Dedicated to a 5^th Century bishop, construction began on this church in 1390 and is ongoing. There are 22 side chapels. The church has two interesting features. One is a meridian line used for astronomical measurements that were fairly precise for that time. The church also has a fresco depicting the Prophet Mohammed being tortured in Hell. Islamist terrorists have threatened to destroy the basilica on more than one occasion.

All pictures are from Wikipedia.

Basilica of St. Stephen, Bologna, Emilia Romagna

Considered a minor basilica for centuries.

The basilica is a complex of buildings beginning with a church built by St. Petronius in the 5^th Century to commemorate the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. The complex also includes a 4^th Century church dedicated to the first martyrs in Bologna—Vitale and Agricola.

All pictures are from Wikipedia.

Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, Cesena, Emilia Romagna

Considered a minor basilica for centuries.

The basilica is an abbey church. The abbey was originally built in the early 11^th Century. It has been suppressed several times by hostile forces but is active today.

The first two pictures are from local sources, the third is from TripAdvisor, and the last is from Wikipedia.

Basilica of St. John, Florence, Tuscany

Considered a minor basilica for centuries.

The Baptistery of St. John the Baptist sits in front of Florence’s cathedral. Its origins are murky, but scholars today believe it dates to either the 11^th or 12^th Century. It is one of the most famous buildings in Florence and is mentioned in Dante’s Divine Comedy. Dante was baptized here.

All pictures are from Wikipedia.

Basilica of the Holy Spirit, Florence, Tuscany

Considered a minor basilica for centuries.

The Augustinians built this Renaissance church in the 15^th Century to replace an earlier church. The church has a painting by Botticini and a crucifix by Michelangelo.

All pictures are from Wikipedia.

Basilica of St. Minias on the Mountain, Florence, Tuscany

Considered a minor basilica for centuries.

This Romanesque church was constructed in the 11^th Century to replace an 8^th Century chapel dedicated to a Roman martyr. Originally Benedictine, the church is now owned by the Olivetan monks. The cemetery has the graves of several prominent people including Carlo Collodi, the creator of Pinocchio, and firm director Franco Zeffirelli.

The top picture is from a local source, and the others are from Wikipedia.

Basilica of St. Lawrence, Florence, Tuscany

Considered a minor basilica for centuries.

A church has been here since the 4^th Century and for 300 years, one of these churches served as the cathedral for Florence. The current church was built by the Medici family in the 15^th Century. The Renaissance building has tombs of many of the Medici family members. The church has works of art by Michelangelo and Donatello.