Mugello


Convent of Bosco ai Frati

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Exploring the Convent of Bosco ai Frati: an escape into the sacredness of Tuscany

The majestic Convent of Bosco ai Frati stands surrounded by a lush oak forest in Lucignano, a hamlet of the municipality of San Piero a Sieve. It is a place full of charm, spirituality and history that shines in the heart of Mugello.

History of the convent

The history of the convent has its roots in the Middle Ages. Probably founded by the Ubaldini in the 6th century, the structure later became a refuge for the Basilians, who left it in 1012. Donated to Saint Francis of Assisi in 1212, the convent welcomed numerous important spiritual figures, including the Venerable Giovanni da Perugia and the father Benedetto da Gavorraccio. Protected by the family of the Ubaldini counts, for a long time plenipotentiaries of the area, it also hosted illustrious personalities such as Cardinal Ottaviano and Fra Bonaventura da Bagnoregio. History has it that it was here, in the heart of the convent, that Fra Bonaventura received the nomination as bishop of Albano. According to tradition, this happened while the friar was carrying out humble daily actions, in particular while he was busy washing dishes in an ancient stone basin. Even today, that basin is preserved in a chapel located near the convent kitchen.

However, in 1349, the plague decimated the Franciscan community, leaving the convent shrouded in silence and abandonment. Only with the intervention of Cosimo the Elder in 1420 did the convent experience a rebirth, thanks to its generous renovation which included the reconstruction of the church of San Bonaventura and the creation of a large library. The following eras saw the convent go through periods of prosperity and difficulty, including the earthquake of 1542 and the Napoleonic suppressions.

Convent of Bosco ai Frati
Convent of Bosco ai Frati (Photo by SailkoCC BY)

The convent

The architectural beauty of the Convent of Bosco ai Frati blends harmoniously with the sacredness of the place. The renovation of the complex was entrusted to Michelozzo, a great Renaissance architect, much appreciated by the Medici who over the years entrusted him with many important projects such as the one relating to their Florentine residence at the time (Palazzo Medici Riccardi). Michelozzo left his mark with his renovation, managing to perfectly combine the Gothic elements with the new Renaissance aesthetic. The columned portico in front of the facade of the church welcomes visitors with a certain grandeur, while inside there are the cross-vaulted naves, adorned with works of art dating back to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

The church houses artistic treasures of inestimable value, including paintings by masters of the caliber of Cigoli, Antonio del Ceraiolo and Jacopo Ligozzi, which tell the story of Franciscan faith and devotion. The Altar of the Immaculate Conception, commissioned by Grand Duke Ferdinand II in the seventeenth century, shines with its own light with its golden reredos, testimony to the Medici patronage. The fresco from the first half of the fifteenth century, preserved in the sacristy, is also very interesting.

Museum of Sacred Art

The adjacent cloister houses a precious Museum of Sacred Art, where the visitor can admire the wooden Crucifix from 1460, attributed to Donatello or his workshop, as well as a rich collection of sacred vestments and liturgical objects. The cloister itself, with its porticoes and overlooking the vegetable garden, offers a setting of peace and contemplation, ideal for immersing yourself in the spirituality of the place.

In conclusion, the Convento del Bosco ai Frati stands as a meeting place between history and spirituality, where art and devotion blend into a single harmony. Anyone who has the privilege of crossing its doors will be surrounded by an atmosphere of serenity and contemplation, which makes this place an essential stop for those who wish to explore the rich spirituality of Tuscany.

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