via G. MOntanelli, 1
the tabernacles of florence
THE TABERNACLE
In 1966
At the intersection of Via G. Montanelli and Via Guelfa, there is a four-story building that, near the corner of the two streets, features the curved niche of a tabernacle. Its placement, which took place in 1966, appears to have been a gift to the building's owner, Carlo Novelli, from the then-Mayor Piero Bargellini. Novelli had been the Vice Commander of the PM Corps of Florence for many years after World War II, and the two were apparently connected not only by their working collaboration but also by a deep religious faith.
Madonna with angels and children
The sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary, seated on a throne with a partially visible armrest, holding the Child Jesus in her arms. In the background, four angelic heads appear to be celebrating, completing the composition. This painted terracotta representation is a 20th-century copy of an original marble work by Antonio Rossellino, a renowned sculptor active in 15th-century Florence. Rossellino's work on Marian iconography in tabernacles has enjoyed great success. There are two known marble examples of this image, located in Saint Petersburg and New York, as well as two stucco replicas in Berlin and the Horne Museum in Florence. Numerous street tabernacles in the streets of Florence also feature this image.
THE STREET
Via Montanelli
Via Giuseppe Montanelli is one of the many entrances to Piazza dell'Indipendenza, formerly known as Piazza Maria Antonia in honor of the second wife of Grand Duke Leopold II of Lorraine. This area was urbanized during his rule, although in common usage, the square was known as Piazza di Barbano, a distortion of the name of the owners of most of the land, the Marquises Barbolani da Montauto.
The current name, dating back to around 1870, recalls how the peaceful popular uprising of April 27, 1859, which led to the expulsion of Leopold II in favor of Tuscany's annexation to the Kingdom of Sardinia, started from this square.
Piazza Indipendenza
Via Giuseppe Montanelli serves as one of the many entrances to Piazza dell'Indipendenza, formerly known as Piazza Maria Antonia in honor of the second wife of Grand Duke Leopold II of Lorraine. This area was urbanized during his rule, although in common usage, the square was known as Piazza di Barbano, a distortion of the name of the owners of most of the land, the Marquises Barbolani da Montauto.
The current name, dating back to around 1870, commemorates how the peaceful popular uprising on April 27, 1859, which led to the expulsion of Leopold II in favor of Tuscany's annexation to the Kingdom of Sardinia, began from this square.
THE RESTORATION
In 2023
The restoration of the artwork was carried out by ICONOS RESTAURI snc, led by Simone Vettori. This restoration was funded through the contribution of the Lions Club Firenze Cosimo dei Medici and the Lions Club Firenze Impruneta San Casciano, with the goal of returning new beauty and visibility to this piece.
FURTHER INFORMATION
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