Chiesa di Orsanmichele (Church of Orsanmichele)
What a history this church has. It started off as a storehouse for grain in the 13th century, hence the defensive structure of its tower and the chutes for loading grain still visible under the northwest arch. It was the vast market loggia with its thought-to-be-miraculous Virgin Mary, which led to its transformation into a church. The façade was one of the most impressive in the city when in possession of its original sculptures – Verrocchio’s St Thomas (Via dei Calzaiuoli), Donatello’s St George (Via Orsanmichele) and Ghiberti’s St Mathew and St Stephen (Via dell’Arte della Lana, beside the church’s entrance). Replicas are currently being restored in their place.
Once inside, it is Andrea Orcagna’s 14th-century glass and marble tabernacle that takes pride of place. It frames a Madonna painted by Bernardo Daddi in 1347 to replace the original miraculous Virgin Mary that was lost in a fire in 1304. A museum occupies the remains of the medieval granary on the first and second floors (reached via the palazzo on Via dell’Arte della Lana, free). It houses many of the original sculptures, including those by Donatello, Ghiberti, Verrocchio and Nanni di Banco.
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