Mummies are probably not the first thing that comes to mind or that you associate with Florence, however, there is one lying on full view in one of her churches.
Resting in a glass coffin in the Dominican Church of San Marco in Florence is the 550 year-old mummified relic of St. Antoninus, dressed in his ornate archbishop’s garb. Interestingly, the man was made an archbishop against his wishes in the last 12 years of his life and only conceded when the pope threatened him with excommunication. He accepted the title but continued to live as a monk and only owned some simple furniture and a mule.
Once you have found a luxury villa in Florence and are exploring her churches and architectural gems, make sure to find time to stop by San Marco and learn about this fascinating man and both his life and death.
Resting in a glass coffin in the Dominican Church of San Marco in Florence is the 550 year-old mummified relic of St. Antoninus, dressed in his ornate archbishop’s garb. Interestingly, the man was made an archbishop against his wishes in the last 12 years of his life and only conceded when the pope threatened him with excommunication. He accepted the title but continued to live as a monk and only owned some simple furniture and a mule.
Once you have found a luxury villa in Florence and are exploring her churches and architectural gems, make sure to find time to stop by San Marco and learn about this fascinating man and both his life and death.
The church is already a must-see for art lovers and is considered something of a shrine to the Dominican order, as it is home to a large number of paintings by the great Dominican artist, Fra Angelico.
However, the body of St. Antoninus is a macabre highlight as well. Born in 1389, Antoninus Pierozzi entered into the Dominican Order in 1405 and, despite his youth, was soon called to administer convents in Cortona, Rome, Naples, as well as Florence.
In his latter life he was a spiritual leader for Florence and, as such, was lauded despite his discomfort with the honours bestowed upon him. When the saint died in 1459, his unembalmed body remained exposed for 8 days before it was buried in the glass coffin in the eponymous Chapel of St. Antoninus.
However, the body of St. Antoninus is a macabre highlight as well. Born in 1389, Antoninus Pierozzi entered into the Dominican Order in 1405 and, despite his youth, was soon called to administer convents in Cortona, Rome, Naples, as well as Florence.
In his latter life he was a spiritual leader for Florence and, as such, was lauded despite his discomfort with the honours bestowed upon him. When the saint died in 1459, his unembalmed body remained exposed for 8 days before it was buried in the glass coffin in the eponymous Chapel of St. Antoninus.
His body is remarkably (and somewhat alarmingly) well preserved and has never decayed or even become discoloured.
Though the experience of seeing him up close is a little haunting, it is, nonetheless, fascinating and one more reason to pop into this amazing church on your next visit to Florence.
Though the experience of seeing him up close is a little haunting, it is, nonetheless, fascinating and one more reason to pop into this amazing church on your next visit to Florence.
