Architecture Florence - Romanesque @ Romanesque Architecture in Florence
After several centuries of decay,
Florence experimented a period of economic recovery during which its inhabitants dedicated to art and to new public buildings.
At that time the dominating style was Romanesque, which had been spreading in Northern Italy from the VII century. Romanesque buildings (mainly chirches) did not have rich external decorations, whereas their interiors were frescoed and covered with mosaics.
Baptistry
Two-colour decorations in marble are characteristic of Tuscan Romanesuqe. Significant examples are to be found in Pise, Pistoia and Lucca.
Florence Baptistry dedicated to San Giovanni, is one of the most important examples of Romanesque architecture. According to scholars, it was built in the V century on the ruins of ancient Roman buildings. Its façades with their characteristic two-colour marble decorations were made only in the XI century.
Another important example of Romanesque architecture is the church of San Minato al Monte, which is situated on one of the highest places of
Florence and
whose construction began in 1013.
