Borgo San Lorenzo is situated 193m above sea level and lies on the left bank of the River Sieve. The current population is about 16.000 and the borders of the whole commune cover approximately 150 km2. It is the principal town of the Mugello valley, thanks to its geographical position and economic importance. There is no town in Tuscany, with so many churches on such small territory.

Where we can find the town nowadays, there was first a church for the poorest in the area. The village of San Lorenzo formed itself around this church. We talk about the 10th century and the church with the locals fall under the rule of the Firenze Episcopate. The villagers started to claim their independence of the Florentine Bishops in early 13th century and managed to obtain it in stages. In 1272 they celebrated the end of the civil rule by the Bishop The independence did not last long, because in 1290 the city of Firenze bought the rights over Borgo San Lorenzo and the rest of the Mugello for 3.000 gold florins from the Episcopate. We arrive in the turbulent times of the fights between the Guelfs and Ghibellines. Borgo San Lorenzo has been one of the major stages in this fight. Firenze decided in 1351 to protect the town by encircling it again with more solid walls and towers. The first statutes of the municipality were compiled in 1374. If we visit this quaint town, we visit a town built and grown to glory between the 10th and the 14th century. This is what we see and what we feel, we walk around in the Middle Ages and it?s a miracle all these buildings and churches survived, because in the 20th century Borgo San Lorenzo endured two major catastrophes. First gravely damaged by the earthquake of 1919 and on the 30th of December 1943 Borgo suffered a disastrous bombardment by the English Air force (200 dead). Many buildings miraculously survived and the rest restored in a beautiful way put Borgo back on the map and in the centre of the Mugello.

THE CHURCHES

Pieve di San Lorenzo

This parish church was built in the 10th century, on the spot of a former Roman temple dedicated to Bacchus. The church is said to be one of the oldest examples of Romanesque architecture still existing. It has three naves divided by columns to the left and pillars to the right. The structure of the roofs of the naves is different to many others, with the western nave being held aloft by beams, while the eastern nave is vaulted. Inside, the church we can find the famous Black Virgin, attributed to Giotto and dating from 1290.

Monastero di Santa Caterina

This monastery dates from the early 17th century and is located close to the San Lorenzo church.

Chiesa Del Santi Crocifisso de Miracoli

This church dates back to the 18th century and is made after a design of the well known Ticciani. The marble floor is an absolute world wonder and of course made of Carrara marble. Above the main altar we find ?The Crucifix of the Miracles?, which dates from the 13th century and leaves the church on certain religious occasions.

Chiesa di San Francesco

This church was constructed in the 13th century for the Ubaldini family. Its architecture is simple and strong, creating a special atmosphere with its single nave supported by wooden trusses. The beautiful entrance dates from the 14th century.

Pieve di San Cresci in Valcava

Built in the 12th century with a structure around three naves, this church is undoubtedly the most beautiful church of the Mugello. The astonishing bell tower is part of the nave on the left side of the church, together with the presbytery.

Chiesa di Santa Maria ad Olmi

This church only had one nave when it was built in the 9th century. In the 13th century and later in 17th century two more naves were added. The stained-glass window above the main entrance depicts Christ the King. Inside we can find many beautiful pieces of art.

Pieve di Santa Felicita a Faltona

This parish church was probably built in the 10th century. The construction has a central nave flanked by two lower naves. Some old buildings surround the church, like the Oratorio Della Compagnia del SS. Sacramento, an oratory built in 1730.

Chiesa di Santa Maria a Pulicciano

This church has survived a lot of turmoil, originally built in the 13th century; it has been restored and modified several times. It has a single nave, and inside we find the beautiful ?Assumption of the Virgin? attributed to Andrea Del Sarto. We also find a fresco showing the Annunciation, dating from the 15th century and located above the western altar.

Chiesa di San Michele

This church was built in 1715 on the site where once was the Abbey of Vallombrosa. It features a single nave, and contains a great number of 18th century paintings along with a famous 15th century crucifix, known for its miraculous properties.

Oratorio della Madonna dei Tre Fiumi

This oratory was constructed at the end of the 16th century. The name comes from the place where it was built at the confluence of three rivers. For many centuries, there had been a tabernacle dedicated to the Virgin Mary on this place. Legend tells that on Ascension Day 1758 the image of the Virgin became real and she gave holy glance to some women, absorbed in prayer. After this miraculous occurrence, everybody expected the phenomenon would re-occur. This expectation took care of rising up the area where prayers were said, so to be closer to the Virgin. The church also contains a wonderful Virgin with Child dating from the 16th century, attributed to Jacopo Chimenti.

Chiesa di San Michele a Figliano

This church was completely rebuilt at the end of the 18th century, near the site of the original building, which dated from approximately 1350. The church is structured around a single nave and inside we find a fresco depicting the Annunciation of the Virgin by a painter of the Giotto school.

Monastero di Luco

This monastery was founded in 1871 by the Sisters of San Pietro a Luco, an order whose history dates back to the 11th century. The magnificent cloister, built by Michelozzo, contains an entrance supported by stone columns, which also support a vaulted transept. The vegetable garden in front of the monastery has its own little square-based chapel. Inside this chapel, there is a fascinating fresco attributed to Andrea del Sarto, portraying Christ gardening and on the ceiling we can see the Crucifixion of Jesus.

Chiesa di San Pietro a Luco

This church was built in the 13th century and full with valuable frescoes and other works of art, like a copy of the Deposition from the Cross, positioned above the alter. The original, painted by Andrea del Sarto, can be found in the Uffizi Gallery. Close to the church, there is the small Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. Inside we find a terracotta Virgin with Child, known nowadays as the Divine Shepherdess.

How to get to Borgo San Lorenzo

• By train: From Florence go almost every hour a direct train to Borgo San Lorenzo
• By bus: From Florence there are daily departures from Libert? Square and the Florentia Bus coach from Careggi from Santa Maria Novella station.
• By car: Take the A1 motorway and exit at Barberino del Mugello (16 km from Florence) or the Regionale 302 (Faentina), via Polcanto (28 km from the centre of Florence).

For more information visit:

• Comune Borgo San Lorenzo