San Fabiano, Prato
San Fabiano is a Romanesque-style, Roman Catholic church and abbey located at Via di Gherardo and Via del Seminario street in Prato, region of Tuscany, Italy.[1] The early medieval structure is one of Prato's oldest churches.[2]
Chiesa di san Fabiano | |
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![]() The facade | |
Religion | |
Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
Location | |
Location | Prato, Italy |
Architecture | |
Type | Church |
Style | Romanesque, |
![](../I/'Baldo_Magini_with_a_model_of_the_Church_of_San_Fabiano'%252C_painting_by_Niccol%C3%B2_Soggi%252C_1522%252C_in_the_Prato_Cathedral.jpg.webp)
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History
The church already was documented in 1082, and construction lasted into 12th century. Originally attached to a Benedictine monastery, it later passed to the Vallumbrosan Order.[3]
The church is noted for the 11th century mosaic pavement, depicting panthers, sirens, griffins, and floral motifs,[3] which were found during restoration of the church. The mosaic is made of light Alberese tiles and black marble.[1] The mosaic images, like the siren, are believed to depict pagan symbols,[2] which suggests that the church was built on a former pagan site.[4]
In the 15th century[5] or the beginning of the 16th century, the brick polygonal bell-tower was added to the church.[1] In 1522, Niccolò Soggi painted the altarpiece Baldo Magini with a model of the Church of San Fabiano; this painting is now located in the Prato Cathedral.[6]
The polychrome wooden Crucifix located behind the altar is also from the 16th century. Within the courtyard is a facade that has a white and green Prato marble archivolt portal.[1]
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to San Fabiano (Prato). |
- Church of San Fabiano. Prato Turismo. Retrieved May 25, 2014.
- John Moretti. Frommer's Florence, Tuscany and Umbria. John Wiley & Sons; 5 January 2010. ISBN 978-0-470-59766-8. p. 257.
- Rete Civica di Prato, short introduction.
- David Bershad; Caroline Mangone. The Christian Travelers Guide to Italy. Zondervan; 27 December 2011. ISBN 978-0-310-31575-9. p. 247.
- Prato. Life in Italy. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
- 1520s. Portrait timeline. Retrieved 25 May 2014.