Pieve di Sant'Agata

The Pieve of Sant'Agata is one of the oldest and most prestigious Romanesque parish churches in Tuscany. Located in the homonymous village, in the municipality of Scarperia e San Piero, this millenary church represents an authentic gem of art and spirituality, a guardian of a history that spans centuries. The origins of the Pieve of Sant'Agata date back to at least the 10th century, although it is believed that a place of worship already existed in the Lombard period. The church is dedicated to Sant'Agata, the Sicilian martyr of the 3rd century A.D., a symbol of unwavering faith, whose cult spread rapidly throughout Italy. In the Middle Ages, it was endowed with a rich land heritage and acquired a central role in the life of local communities, with influences that extended well beyond the borders of Mugello. Over the centuries, the church underwent various restoration interventions, however, maintaining its Romanesque structure and ancient charm intact. The Pieve of Sant'Agata represents an extraordinary example of Romanesque architecture, both for its imposing structure and for its refined sculptural decoration. Its historical role is also evidenced by the fact that, in the past, it had jurisdiction over numerous other churches in the area, confirming itself as one of the most significant religious centers in Mugello. One of the most evocative elements of the Pieve of Sant'Agata is the Romanesque façade, sober and imposing, characterized by the use of local stone. Its gabled structure reflects the typical austerity of the Romanesque style, while the decorative elements, such as blind arches and the finely carved portal, reveal the influence of Tuscan medieval art. Next to the church stands an imposing square-plan bell tower, which, with its height and solidity, dominates the surrounding landscape, giving the parish an even more monumental appearance. The interior of the Pieve of Sant'Agata is a true treasure trove of sacred art. Among the most significant works preserved in the church are a precious Romanesque baptismal font, dating back to the 12th century, with refined stone carvings, Renaissance and Baroque paintings, including some canvases from the Florentine school, a medieval wooden crucifix, a testimony to the strong artistic and religious tradition of the parish. A few steps from the parish is a charming cloister, a place of silence and meditation, which testifies to the monastic past of the complex. Here, one can still admire the ancient stone arches and an atmosphere of great spirituality, reminiscent of the religious and contemplative life that has animated these spaces for centuries. Adjacent to the parish is also a Museum of Sacred Art, which collects precious treasures from the church and other parishes in the area. Among the exhibited works are ancient sacred vestments, finely embroidered, testifying to the liturgical richness of the parish, reliquaries and ecclesiastical silverware, dating back to different eras, expressions of sacred goldsmith art; paintings and sculptures, including works attributed to the Florentine school of the 15th and 16th centuries, and ancient illuminated manuscripts, revealing the cultural and religious role that the parish has had over the centuries. The museum, small but full of charm, offers visitors a journey through the religious history of Mugello, highlighting the artistic and spiritual value of this millenary parish.

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