Tabernacle of Montiloro - Free Audio Guide

The Tabernacolo di Montiloro, also known as Monteloro, is a significant historical landmark located at the intersection of Via Alfani and Borgo Pinti in Florence, Italy. This tabernacle, commissioned by the Compagnia dell'Assunta, features intricate architectural elements crafted from pietra serena, a local stone. Historically, the Canto di Montiloro recalls the "potenze festeggianti," secular societies from the late Renaissance that organized festivities. The tabernacle's design includes a vaulted niche adorned with reliefs of palmettes, a composite capital with a six-peaked mountain and a cross emblem, and a richly decorated arch. While the tabernacle itself is believed to date back to the 1470s, the fresco it houses, depicting the Madonna with Child between Saints John the Baptist and Peter, is attributed to the mid-14th century artist Puccio di Simone. The site has experienced various restorations over the years, particularly after damage from the 1966 Florence flood, highlighting its resilience and ongoing cultural importance. Visitors will find it not only a beautiful example of Florentine art and architecture but also a place deeply embedded in the city's social and religious history.