On April 27, 2018, the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte will initiate a year of events to celebrate the 1000 year anniversary of its founding. On April 27, 2018 the Archbishop of Florence, Betori, will celebrate with the opening of basilica’s Holy Door and then will celebrate Mass.
Facade of San Miniato
The basilica was founded by Bishop Hildebrand in 1018 when he placed the remains of martyred Saint Minius on the altar of the church. Located atop a hill, above the south side of the Arno River above Florence, the terrace that fronts the Basilica offer unforgettable views across the city and valley of the Arno. The monastic community and Basilica are still in use to this day.
(See our blog post, Gregorian Chant at San Miniato)
The Holy Door, on the basilica’s facade, has an inscription on the threshold which reads, “Haec est Parta Coeli” or “This is the Gate of Heaven.”
Threshold of the Holy Door, San Miniato
Highlights of the events to come:
May 11, 2018. 9:00PM, Artist Marco Nereo Rotelli’s installations on the facade of the Basilica.
June 21, 2018: Sunset Prayer concert with the debut of an original piece by composer Isa Cecil Scott.
June 23, 2018: June 23 (Festival of the Patron Saint of Florence, San Giovanni Battista). Street performances and “Medieval” fair.
September 13 and 14, 2018: International conference on the history of San Miniato
April 3 – 7, 2019: Litrugical chants will be sung, based on “Haec est porta coeli” and called “Canti per mille anni”, “Chants for a thousand years”.
Capella di Crocifisso, San Miniato
Keep checking the San Miniato and Florence Tourism web site for further details and an ever expanding calendar of events to celebrate the Millennium of San Miniato.
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