Official website of the destination San Gimignano

Church of St. Augustine

A precious jewel kept in the heart of the city

In a large and quiet square in the historic center, St. Augustine's Church is the second-largest church in the city and houses a collection of works of art by notable artists. Built between 1280 and 1298, the church stands in the square of the same name and was built entirely of brick to give it a simple and austere appearance. The facade features a rose window decorated in terracotta at the top and a main doorway, although the actual entrance to the church is on the side wall. The architectural style recalls elements belonging to the Gothic and Roman periods, giving a majestic effect to the whole complex. While on the outside it may look like a simple and austere building, the interior reveals the artistic richness of the church. Already at the entrance one can admire numerous medieval and Renaissance frescoes by the most famous Tuscan artists, such as the fresco depicting Saint Sebastian intercedes on behalf of the San Gimignano community by Benozzo Gozzoli from 1464, and other 15th-century works painted by Lippo Memmi and Bartolo di Fredi. In the final part of the church are three chapels, further enriched by splendid works of art.

In the main chapel are depicted the Stories from the Life of Saint Augustine by Benozzo Gozzoli; a work created between 1464 and 1465, it is the best-preserved cycle of stories of the saint in all of Tuscan Renaissance art. The chapel on the right presents the Life of the Virgin from the second half of the 16th century, painted by Bartolo di Fredi, and an altarpiece depicting a Birth of Mary by Vincenzo Tamagni from the first half of the 15th century. The Renaissance chapel of San Bartolo is a truly evocative place dedicated to the saint of the same name who is very dear to the town of San Gimignano. His remains are preserved in the white marble altar made by Benedetto da Maiano in the 15th century and decorated with the story of the miracles of San Bartolo. The chapel also retains the original flooring made in majolica by Andrea della Robbia and is surrounded by walls frescoed with Saints Gimignano, Lucy and Nicholas on one side and St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, St. Jerome and St. Gregory on the other.

City of the world, heritage of humanity. Where to breathe in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages and immerse yourself in the magnificent Tuscan countryside under the banner of a beautiful and sustainable lifestyle.
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