The Monastery and Church of SS Annunziata, known as San Martino, is located near the Porta di Faognana. It was first inhabited by the Umiliati, then by Augustinian nuns from the Convent of Santa Cristiana in Santa Croce sull’Arno, and finally by Dominican nuns.
The complex was renovated in the 16th century with the construction of the vault on the road that made the two parts of the monastery communicating. It presents a sober and essential exterior that does not correspond to the more ornate interior, which is accessed through an atrium. On the space above are 24 small grilles through which the cloistered nuns heard mass.
The ceiling of the single-nave hall is carved wood in Baroque style, at the centre of which is a fresco depicting the Madonna among Dominican Saints. The most interesting painting is on the high altar, depicting the Annunciation by the Florentine Giovan Battista Vanni., while worth noting is a marble tabernacle on the wall to be attributed to the Rossellino workshop, the only example of a marble ciborium in San Miniato.
The church has long been deconsecrated and is used for exhibitions and cultural events of various kinds. It is part of a tourist facility.
Info: 0571.42745
San Miniato promozione