Church of the Guilds~ Orsanmichelle

 This afternoon I wandered back to Dante's neighborhood because the opportunity to see Orsanmichelle is fleeting.  It's only open one or two days a week and it is truly splendid.  Very different, with a definite Romanesque muscularity, a medieval vibe, and some Gothic frosting.  It's history is super cool.  In the 13th century, the square frame of the building marked a grain market.  The market activity took place within the Roman arches and was open, like a loggia.  Then there were two floors above.  The top one was used for storage of grain, a much needed insurance to guard against bad times and starvation.  It is on Via Calzaiuoli ("shoemakers"), marking the guild of the shoemakers.  The church is off this via, and actually in the area of the city where woolworkers did their trade.  The guild marker is still on a building:

Here is the front of Orsanmichelle.  Toward the end of the 14th century, it was converted into a church that essentially represented and praised all of Florence's powerful guilds and crafts:

The frescoes inside are very old, and very wonderful.  Every guild is represented by their guild marker and/or their patron saint.  And the church has this marvelous gothic tabernacle and Bernardo Daddi's magnificent Madonna and Child.  There is awful noise in the background because unfortunately, behind the tabernacle is where they sell tickets to other attractions in Florence.  But anyway:

Beautiful stained glass, fabulous frescoes in a groovy, naïve medieval style.  

Here is Saint Mark, representing the Guild of the Linenworkers:

And here is St Stephen and the woolworkers guild:

Then you go across the street and into the building where the Italian Dante Society holds their secret meetings and seances....just kidding.  You walk up 3 flights on stairs and cross over to the top floor of the church where there is a sculpture exhibit of saints that used to have their own alcoves in buildings of each guild.  

It was so very fine to be walking up the stairs at the Dante headquarters, let me tell you:

I love this lion.  Such a cute guy :)