San Fabiano is a Romanesque-style, Roman Catholic church and abbey located at Via di Gherardo and Via del Seminario street in Prato, region of Tuscany, Italy.[1] The early medieval structure is one of Prato's oldest churches.[2]
History
The church already was documented in 1082, and construction lasted into 12th century. Originally attached to a Benedictine monastery, it later passed to the Vallumbrosan Order.[3]
The church is noted for the 11th century mosaic pavement, depicting panthers, sirens, griffins, and floral motifs,[3] which were found during restoration of the church. The mosaic is made of light Alberese tiles and black marble.[1] The mosaic images, like the siren, are believed to depict pagan symbols,[2] which suggests that the church was built on a former pagan site.[4]
In the 15th century[5] or the beginning of the 16th century, the brick polygonal bell-tower was added to the church.[1] In 1522, Niccolò Soggi painted the altarpiece Baldo Magini with a model of the Church of San Fabiano; this painting is now located in the Prato Cathedral.[6]
The polychrome wooden Crucifix located behind the altar is also from the 16th century. Within the courtyard is a facade that has a white and green Prato marble archivolt portal.[1]
References
- 1.[1.2][1.3][1.4]Church of San Fabiano. Prato Turismo. Retrieved May 25, 2014.
- 2.[2.2]John Moretti. Frommer's Florence, Tuscany and Umbria. John Wiley & Sons; 5 January 2010. ISBN 978-0-470-59766-8. p. 257.
- 3.[3.2]Rete Civica di Prato, short introduction.
- 4.David Bershad; Caroline Mangone. The Christian Travelers Guide to Italy. Zondervan; 27 December 2011. ISBN 978-0-310-31575-9. p. 247.
- 5.Prato. Life in Italy. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
- 6.1520s. Portrait timeline. Retrieved 25 May 2014.