1. You are here:
  2. Home
  3. Blog
  4. Categories: Art and culture

Tabernacles: Street Art has been in Florence for centuries!

Since 1200, tabernacles have populated Florentine streets with characters, stories and colour.

If we think about it, the streets of Florence are never really empty. Just as in the best fantasy films, it’s easy to imagine that the characters enclosed within the tabernacles (in this case, the small architectural structures located in public places) come to life as they please, remaining invisible to us "Muggles" and devoting themselves to their almost millenia of affairs.

Haven’t understood what we mean yet? We’re talking about those sacred images that characterize most of the small streets and corners of the historic centre of Florence. A form of religious architecture that dates back to Roman times, tabernacles greatly increased in Florence around 1200 when Catholics fought heresy under the leadership of Pietro da Verona. In front of these images, religious services were held and lights were lit which testified to the faith of the inhabitants and protected travelers, as well as illuminating the streets at night.

Photo Credits: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabernacolo_del_Madonnone


In modern terms, it can be said that it’s a real form of street art!

In fact, tabernacles almost always contain frescoes. Some feature paintings by famous artists of the 14th-15th century, or sculptures that depict the Saints or the Madonna, telling stories of the time. Here are some ideas for a Tabernacle Itinerary in different areas of Florence. There are so many of them to choose from but we’ve selected some of the most beautiful!

SANTA CROCE - PATH OF THE MALCONTENTI
Follow the path that led the "Malcontenti"; or those sentenced to death, from the centuries-old Stinche Prison in Via Ghibellina, to the Torre della Zecca where the executions were carried out.

  1. The first you come across is the Tabernacle of the Bargello, depicting Saint Bonaventura who distributes bread to prisoners: prisoners were not maintained by the government but by the charity of private citizens. It is located on Via Ghibellina, on the corner of Via dell'Acqua.

  2. The second is the Tabernacle of the Stinche, in Via Ghibellina at the corner with Via Isola delle Stinche, painted by Giovanni da San Giovanni in 1616. It depicts Senator Girolamo Novelli who, accompanied by two magistrates and in the presence of Jesus Christ, pays the ransom for a prisoner.

  3. In via dei Malcontenti at the corner with Via delle Casine, the third and final one represents the Madonna in Majesty between Saints John and Peter and two angels. It is an example of "a mensa" tabernacle, used as an altar to celebrate Mass on occasion.

Photo Credits: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabernacolo_del_Bargello

Photo Credits: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabernacolo_di_via_dei_Malcontenti


THE TABERNACLES OF THE OLTRARNO

  • The tabernacle of the Torrino di Santa Rosa with its beautiful fresco depicts "Pietà with the Saints John the Evangelist and Mary Magdalene" by Ridolfo del Ghirlandaio (early 16th century).

  • On the corner of via del Leone and via della Chiesa, the tabernacle called "Madonna del morbo", likely made out of gratitude for the end of the plague in 1348 and attributed to Giottino (now replaced with a copy).

  • In the Tabernacle of the Canto della Cuculia, where via dei Serragli meets via Santa Monaca, protected by a stone temple, you can see the "Madonna and Child, Saint Paul and Saint Jerome" by Lorenzo di Bicci (early 14th century).

  • Tabernacle at the corner where Via dei Preti meets Via delle Caldaie, "Madonna and Child with Saints Rocco and Sebastiano" by Raffaellino del Garbo and aids, circa 1500.

Photo Credits: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabernacolo_del_Canto_alla_Cuculia

Photo Credits: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Via_dei_preti,_tabernacolo_di_raffaellino_del_garbo_e_aiuti,_1500_ca._01.JPG


THE MOST UNUSUAL

  • The Tabernacle of the Fonticine is one of the most beautiful and unique in the city. It was completely restored by the Lorenzo de 'Medici Institute and is located in Via Nazionale. It was made from glazed ceramics by Giovanni della Robbia's workshop in 1522. The name derives from the jets of water poured into the marble basin below by seven angelic heads.

  • Tabernacle of the Cinque Lampade (Five Lamps), in Via Ricasoli at the corner of Via de' Pucci, consists of two niches as opposed to the traditional single arch with two niches of different sizes. 5 wrought iron votive lamps hang in front of the two niches giving the tabernacle its name.

Photo Credits: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabernacolo_delle_Fonticine

Photo Credits: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabernacolo_delle_cinque_lampade


Staying in Florence has never been so advantageous: hotels, tours and experiences at once-off prices until 12/31/2021. What are you waiting for? Make the most of our promotional campaign and treat yourself to Florence as you've never seen it before.


Photo Header Credits: dellangelo54 on www.tripadvisor.it/