The church and convent of Saints Jacopo and Filippo (formerly San Barnaba, now Propositura dei Santi Jacopo e Filippo) in Scarperia stand right at the center of the town, overlooking the square, facing the Palazzo dei Vicari.

Structure:

The current configuration features a gabled facade with the lower part plastered and an ogival portal like that in the Church of S. Francesco in Fiesole. A central oculus opens at the center of the facade, while a crowning of blind arches runs along the two slopes.

The neo-Gothic tower bell, though medieval in appearance, dates to the first half of the 20th century when the original was demolished for the current structure. The architecture reflects the principles of Tuscan churches of mendicant orders, characterized by a rigorous and essential logic.

The interior comprises a spacious hall with exposed wooden trusses, and the tribune possesses three chapels with ogival arches. The central chapel houses a monumental wooden crucifix, while the one on the right hosts the most illustrious work in the church: a round relief-carved marble depiction of the Madonna and Child. The work is attributed to Benedetto da Maiano (1442-1497), a prominent sculptor of the Renaissance in the second half of the 15th century.

The current appearance recalls the original, resulting from the dismantling of 19th-century restorations when the ceiling was vaulted, and the interior was entirely decorated. The sacristy is accessed through a door on the right wall of the presbytery.

Adjacent to the church is the convent structure, entered through a door on the right of the church facade, next to the bell tower. After a short passage, you reach a rectangular cloister, showing structural elements from two different construction phases. The colonnaded walkway along the church wall is supported by four columns, each with unique capitals adorned with vegetal motifs and anthropomorphic and zoomorphic heads. On the other three sides, the capitals have an Ionic style.

Historical Notes:

Shortly after the establishment of Scarperia in 1306, even before it had a church, a convent of Augustinian friars dedicated to San Barnaba, the patron saint of the new settlement, was founded.

The foundation of the convent is traced back to the years between 1324 and 1326. It became not only the religious center of Scarperia but also a fundamental reference point for the life of the Scarperian community. The Augustinians were even involved in educational activities.

The earthquake of 1542 must have caused significant damage to the Augustinian complex, as there are records of expenses by the friars for restoration work.

In 1808, after almost five centuries of activity, the Augustinian friars were expelled from the convent due to Napoleonic suppressions.

Once freed, the convent was later converted into a parish and dedicated to Saints Jacopo e Filippo. The earthquake of 1919 caused significant damage, both inside and out, with the detachment of the church facade.

The restoration work, which restored the interiors to their original appearance, was carried out in the 1960s, likely in line with the directives of the Second Vatican Council.

-Giulio Landi

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