Abbazia di San Pietro

Exterior of the Church

Detail of a fresco (late 15th century) by Benedetto Bonfigli showing the translation of the relics of St Herculanus to San Pietro Cappella dei Priori	Present entrance to the church The entrance was on the road until 1617, when the north cloister was built in front of it

The portico in front of the façade (early 14th century) of the church, which can be recognised in Benedetto Bonfigli’s fresco above, was incorporated into the colonnade of the north cloister in 1617. 

Agostino di Duccio seems to have executed the portal (ca. 1475) at the same time that he was working on the nearby Porta San Pietro.  This fresco (ca. 1515)  by Giannicola di Paolo in the lunette depicts the Madonna and Child with angels, replaced an earlier work.

Frescoes (mid- 14th century)

Two of these three frescoes on the facade were attributed to the aptly-named Maestro Ironico during recent restoration:

• the Annunciation (on the left of the portal); and

• the extraordinary enthroned three-headed female figure with angels (on the right) . 
  

The other frescoes on the left of the portal depict:

• the Pietà;

• SS Peter and Paul; and

• St George and the dragon.

Campanile (largely rebuilt in 1463-8)

The imposing campanile to the right of the entrance suffered in fires and wars and that its upper part had to be demolished in 1393.  However, the lower part of the original tower survives. 

The Florentine Bernardo Rossellino designed the present ten-sided tower and the hexagonal bell tower and spire above, which were built on the surviving structure.. 

Proceed to the tour of the interior of the church.