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Convento Francescano and San Miniato - Photo ©Pagina FB Convento San Francesco
HOLIDAY HOMES
Convento San Francesco - Centro Nuovi Orizzonti

The Convent of San Francesco was constructed in 1276 on the site of a small temple erected in 783 by the Lombards in honour of San Miniato.

It is said that in 1211 St Francis, then a guest at San Miniato, received that plot of land as a gift and decided to found his monastery on it. The first things to be built were the church and the parts used as a monastery and a sacristy; later, from the first half of the fifteenth century, living quarters were built above the cloister next to the great church, as were the old refectory (which would later become an exercise area) and a chapel dedicated to St Louis of Toulouse. Cells were constructed around the first cloister (known as the cloister of the 'padri'), along with corridors and a large refectory, on the wall of which is found a 'Franciscan Supper' (1690) by the painter Carlo Bambocci. The second cloister, nicknamed after the 'novices', was erected towards the end of the 1600s.

In the following centuries the community became poorer, the chapel was converted into an olive-press and during the wars the buildings were used even for military and medical purposes. The convent was closed for certain periods but was restored to the brothers thanks to popular efforts.

The convent is now managed by the Christian association Nuovi orizzonti, which was founded by Chiara Amirante.

GENERAL INFO
Address
Piazza S. Francesco, 1, 56028 San Miniato PI, Italia
Municipality
San Miniato (PI)
Parish
Parrocchia di San Domenico
Accommodation contact person
Adam Ruffolo
Telephone
0571/ 43051 (interno 8)
Email
sanminiato@nuoviorizzonti.org
Managing institution (parish, confraternity, association….)
Associazione "Insieme verso Nuovi Orizzonti"
Contact person
Angela Croce
Km from the via Francigena
100m approx
TECHNICAL INFO
Total square metres
9000m²
Bathrooms
25
Showers
25
Sinks
25
Hot water
Yes
Opening hours
From 2pm to 6pm
Opening period
Open all year round
Number and types of rooms
25 rooms, single, double, triple and quadruple. Total: 70 sleeping places
Summer and winter beds
No difference
The representative sleeps on site
Yes
Recycling
Yes, but not in the single rooms
Accessibility
No, not adapted for those with disabilities. The structure dates back to 1200 and there are numerous staircases.
COSTS
Overnight stay
October-April: €15 without laundry service / €25 with laundry service - May-September: €10 without laundry service / €20 with laundry service
Dinner
€10 communal dinner
Breakfast
€5
Notes

Prices updated in March 2018: contact the organisation to check.

PILGRIMS' SERVICES
Kitchen use
No
Laundry
Yes
Dryer
No
Drying racks
Yes
Bicycle storage
Yes
Enclosed space for donkeys and horses
Yes
Dogs permitted
Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes
Backpack/suitcase transfer
Yes
Bed on the floor
Yes
Tent in the garden (if yes, n. of spots)
Yes (ample open and outside space: max 100)
Booking (specify groups or individuals, and with mandatory notice)
Booking in person mandatory, via email
Access with pilgrims' credentials
Not necessary
Bedsheets and blankets
There is a laundry service for each bedroom and bathroom or single-use bedsheets.
CONFESSION
Name (priest, religious figure, monk, nun)
Membri della Comunità Nuovi Orizzonti
Adress
Piazza San Francesco, 1 – 56028 - San Miniato (PI)
Telephone
0571 43051 (interno 8)
Email
sanminiato@nuoviorizzonti.org
Accessibility
Not equipped for those with disabilities. The structure is from the 1200s and there are numerous staircases.
Interesting local initiatives for pilgrims
  • Adoration at 7:30am
  • Meditation on the Word at 8:00am
  • Holy Rosary at 6:30pm
  • Mass at 7:00pm from Monday to Friday / Sunday at 9:00am
  • Cenaculum of Prayer every Monday at 9:15pm
  • Prayers of Praise every Thursday at 9:15pm