AlReady2Go

We will be going to Florence soon and have heard that the church of San Miniato el Monte have late afternoon/evening services with chants. Can anyone tell me the days and times these masses begin? Also, anything else in that area we should see? Thanks

Ann1

San Miniato is up behind Piazzale Michelangelo. If you take the bus there you can walk up the hill. There is a restaurant that overlooks Florence. I don't know about the chants but you can ask your hotel if no one knows.

ellenem

The same bus routes that stop at Piazzale Michelangelo also stops at San MIniato al Monte.

tuscanlifeedit

This is from my copy and paste file for Florence. I did not write it, but I do use it. The times for vespers are at the bottom.

Getting to San Miniato
Walking

From Jeff Whiteaker on the Slow Travel Talk forums: my personal favorite route to San Miniato is where, you've just crossed the Ponte alle Grazie and you're now on the Oltrarno side. You head straight up Piazza de Mozzi until it ends at Via di San Niccolo. Turn left at Via di San Niccolo, take that until you hit Via San Miniato, onto which you'll veer right, take that up through the gate/wall, continue up the hill a few blocks until just on the left, you'll see a (very long) pedestrian staircase (Google Maps is telling me this is called Via di San Salvatore al Monte). Head all the way up the staircase, pausing every so often to look back at the view over the city, until it ends at Viale Galileo. Turn right on Viale Galileo and walk up the hill a bit until you see San Miniato on your left.

I think most people simply head up Viale Giuseppe Poggi and stop off at Piazzale Michelangelo along the way, which is really nice.
Transportation

Bus Line 13 stops at Piazza Michelangelo from there it’s a short walk to San Miniato. Florence taxis can also take you to San Miniato al Monte.
Vespers

Daily Winter: Vespers at 16:30 (aka 4:30pm) Mass at 17:00 (aka 5:00pm)

Daily Summer: Vespers at 17:30 (aka 5:30pm) Mass at 18:00 (aka 6:00pm)

ellenem

Bus line 12 also stops there. I believe bus lines 12 and 13 run the same circular route, but in oppsite directions.

GAC

By now many people have forgotten, but San Miniato al Monte plays a significant role in the 1976 film "Obsession" by Brian De Palma. It's worth watching before (or after) you go in person. And some actually like the plot of the film as well.

Ann1

I hate to be picky on words but it's Piazzale not Piazza Michelangelo.

tedgale

If you go onto the Italian site of mappy.com and click on "itinerario", you can plot the route from wherever you're staying to Piazzale Michelangiolo and San Miniato.

Your destination -- "Arrivo" will be:
Piazzale Michelangiolo, 50125, Firenze, Toscana, Italia
Or
San Miniato al Monte, 50125, Firenze, Toscana, Italia

If you plan to go on foot, click the box "A piedi". If you plan to drive, click "Veicolo".

AlReady2Go

Thank you all so very much...that will be so helpful in figuring out how and when to go there...You guys are always great...and I will watch that movie soon...any other suggestions?

maitaitom

"Head all the way up the staircase..."

Since you are going to San Miniato, don't take that suggestion literally. I think it only works for saints.

AlReady2Go

Thanks, don't think I could make it all the way to the top...lol

tuscanlifeedit

anyway.... I just copied that stuff. I already know the name of the church and the name of the giant parking lot.

Yes, my best suggestions is to cross the Ponte Vecchio and walk up and up via de Bardi, following your senses and maybe a map until you get to San Miniato al Monte. That is a gorgeous walk and only strenuous while you are going up hill.

That's the way I would do it unless the walk is absolutely impossible for you. You could go very slowly, which is what I have to do when climbing hills.

AlReady2Go

If the weather is good it sounds like a nice way to spend some time walking up there...we'll probably give it a try...after all the pasta and other good things we plan on eating we might need the walk to burn off a few calories so our clothes will fit!