Santa Maria in Canonica
The Church of Santa Maria in Canonica, located in the historical centre of Colle di Val d’Elsa, is a single-nave building covered by a roof. The exterior features a wall face in travertine, sandstone and spongy limestone, with a gabled façade facing east. The lower part, made of sandstone ashlars, contains an ancient architraved portal, while the upper part is two-coloured with a wagon-wheel rosette. The flank shows clear construction phases, with an older part in gilded sandstone and a more recent two-coloured part with single lancet windows. The tower, transformed into a bell tower in the 13th century, is made of sandstone and spongy travertine.
The interior is characterised by wooden trusses and reflects the same exterior masonry. Inside, there is a large 15th-century altarpiece depicting the Madonna and Child with Saints by Pier Francesco Fiorentino. Traces of much deteriorated frescoes are visible, while the wooden ceiling is particularly impressive.
The church is first documented in 1183 and underwent several construction phases during the 13th century. The tower, transformed into a bell tower by 1225, shows inscriptions indicating the presence of Benedictines from the Abbey of Spugna. The church played an important role in municipal life, with municipal assemblies and readings of excommunication sentences.
During the 15th century, it became the oratory of the Commune and housed the bell called the Martinella. In the 16th century, it was restored and in 1603 it was consecrated after the creation of the diocese of Colle di Val d’Elsa. In 1937, a restoration campaign removed the Baroque interventions, followed by further restoration in 1994.
Arnolfo di Cambio is believed to have been born around 1245 in the tower-house that now bears his name, located a few dozen metres from the Church of Santa Maria in Canonica and of which he is said to have been a parishioner.
Chiesa di Santa Maria in Canonica
Piazza Canonica
53034 Colle di Val d’Elsa (Siena)
Toscana – Italy