The parish church of Santa Fiora It is a church that is truly surprising in many ways.
From the outside it looks like a medieval building, a bit severe. The light that comes in from the various openings (the rose window, an oculus, a mullioned window and three single-lancet windows), spreads of blue reflections a harmoniously designed environment for the masterpieces of Andrea della Robbia (1435-1525).
This is a church and a collection famous for art lovers and Amiata, which however hides a rather singular history. The fifteenth century was a very important period for Santa Fiora and its church. Around the middle of the century the ancient parish church, which was located outside the town, disappeared, consumed by a fire. Again there was a question about what to do but this time the decision was taken by the rulers, Countess Cecilia Aldobrandeschi and her husband Bosio Sforza. It was decided to move the parish church inside the town 'changing the name' of the church of 1382-83. The dedication to San Leonardo was replaced by that to the saints Flora and Lucilla. During the fire of the old parish church the relics of the Saints were lost, the counts obtained others to replace them (from Arezzo), placing them in a precious Gothic reliquary where, as a signature, they inserted the coat of arms of Aldobrandesco, Bosio Sforza and the community of Santa FioraThe reliquary can still be admired inside the church today. A short time passed before it was again necessary to intervene on the parish church, this time for diplomatic and artistic reasons. Pope Pius II Piccolomini, who was preparing a new crusade, went to visit Santa Fiora to confer with Guido Sforza, son of Cecilia and Bosio, and to request the military aid that the Sforza of Milan had promised for the enterprise. The crusade did not take place due to the death of the Pope in 1464, to pay homage to him Guido Sforza commissioned the collection of works by Andrea della Robbia for which the parish church of Santa Fiora is famous throughout the world
The Church of Saints Fiora and Lucilla
Middle Ages outside and Renaissance inside
