Photography Walking Tour - San Miniato

Photography Walking Tour of Florence with photographer Susanna Lucia Lamaina

Destination: San Miniato Al Monte

The Basilica di San Miniato al Monte stands perched atop one of the highest points in Florence, Italy. It has been described as one of the finest Romanesque structures in Tuscany and one of the most beautiful churches in Italy.

Image heavy - Please allow a moment for the page to load

		The first stop on our walking tour will be at the Ponte Vecchio to make photographs. A spectacular site to see! We will walk along the Arno River heading away from the city up to the top of the hill to Piazzale Michelangelo. The 19th Century terrace of Piazzale Michelangelo looks out over Florence and the Arno valley. This is a favorite spot with locals and tourist alike to make photographs. Piazzale Michelangelo has one of the most breath taking views over looking the city, and comes with its own massive copy of Michelangelo’s statue of David! Our final destination spot San Miniato al Monte is just around the corner. As we come upon the massive structure of the church and the many steps its beauty is both overwhelming and breath taking at the same time! Our reward for the many steps we will climb to reach the top is the majestic view of the city of Florence. We will see the old city walls, The Duomo, Santa Croce church, the surrounding hills, Fiesole and the lush green landscape (Yes! Believe it or not Florence has a lush green landscape).

What to see inside the church: The interior is extremely unusual because it has changed little since the construction of the present church was built in 1013. The patterned pavement floor dates from 1207. The center nave is dominated by the beautiful freestanding Cappella del Crocefisso, (Chapel of the Crucifix), designed by Michelozzo in 1448. The crypt is the oldest part of the church. In the vaults are frescoes by Taddeo Gaddi. The entire area is surrounded by defensive walls, originally built by Michelangelo and in 1553 expanded into a true fortress by Cosimo I. The walls now enclose a large cemetery, the Porte Sante, built in 1854. Carlo Collodi, creator of Pinocchio, the politician Giovanni Spadolini, sculptor Libero Andreotti, film producer Mario Cecchi Gori are buried there.

		Our photographic tour continues into the cemetery, Porte Sante. It was created in the second half of the 19th century with neo-Gothic and neo Renaissance overtones. It was designed by Mariano Falcini and extends all along the sides and back of the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte. The cemetery is fascinating. Not only is it a piece of Florentine history but the tombstones and their elaborate decorations are incredible to photograph. Each one uniquely different and all are embedded with photographs, mostly in black and white. The photographs give the living a sense of who these people were and how they lived, each of the photographs tell us a story dating from the time period in which it was made.

As your photographic tour guide, Susanna will speak about lighting, composition, F-stops, shutter speeds, and the best possible ways to move beyond “just making tourist" photographs. This will be a time to for asking photographic questions, toning your current photographic skills and gaining new ways to see, visually.

How to best prepare for the walk: Bring your film or digital cameras, wear good walking shoes and bring water. For those who would like to have lunch after the walking tour there are two pizzerias adjacent to the church.

Please Note: This walk requires some uphill walking, including a series of wide steps leading up to Piazzale Michelangelo, and is best suited for those accustomed to doing so.

This tour can be scheduled by making prior arrangements. Please Contact Us via the BeadedLily Designs contact page.

The approximate duration of this walking tour is 2 hours, including time spent at San Miniato. The walk itself is 30 - 40 Minutes.

The price of this tour is dependent upon group size:

Private	€ 100
2 people	€ 100	(€50.00 per person)
3 people	€ 120	(€40.00 per person)
4 people	€ 140	(€35.00 per person)
5 people	€ 140	(€28.00 per person)
6 people	€ 150	(€25.00 per person)

There is a 15% non-refundable deposit required to confirm this tour.

If you prefer, this can be paid using your credit card on our secure server. To do so please Contact Us via the BeadedLily contact page.

Alternatively, you may register in person at BeadedLily (Via Toscanella 33R
Florence, Italy (39) 331-904-9410

Tour Instructor: Susanna Lucia Lamaina

Susanna Lucia Lamaina is a Fine Art Photographer whose work has been published
in numerous catalogs and is held in private collections, graduated from the San
Francisco Art Institute (BFA), and San Francisco State University, (MA). She
studied and collaborated with noted Farm Security Administration photographer,
John Collier, Jr., and California photographer, Pirkle Jones.

A respected educator, Susanna was awarded “Teaching in Excellence” in 2003 from
the University of California, Santa Cruz extension program for her dedication to
teaching.

Her fine art portraiture work has led her to photograph the Italian film
director, artist, actor and screenwriter, Mimmo Calopresti. A photograph from
the series of Mimmo Calopresti made in 2003 was published in the 2004 61st
International Venice Film Festival catalog. In addition, she has photographed
the political activist Angela Davis, John Sinclair, Ex-Chief of Staff of the
Black Panther party, David Hilliard, Odetta, and Sean Lennon.

Susanna’s classes overlap many artistic disciplines, offering a unique diverse
structure to studying photography. She has been teaching international students
for 23 years. She exhibits her work nationally and internationally.

Professor Susanna Lucia Lamaina teaches at Santa Reparata International School
of Art in Florence, Italy.

For questions regarding her work she can be contacted at: susannalamaina@yahoo.com