San Miniato al Monte: Interior view of nave towards altar and apse mosaic

The apse mosaic bears the date 1297; it depicts Christ in benediction between the Virgin, St. Miniatus, the symbols of the Evangelists and the kneeling donor.\u000a\u000aBuildings in Tuscany were conservative and followed Early Christian models. An important feature of Florentine Romanesque is exemplified by the striking use of coloured marble inlays to form lively geometrical patterns seen also at S Miniato al Monte, with an interior articulated by the rhythmic alternating system of columnar and quadrilobed piers, the latter rising to diaphragm arches.