An interesting exhibition in the Franciscan complex of Santa Croce, in Florence, to celebrate through art the 800th anniversary of the miraculous event.
According to tradition, on 17 September 1224 Francis of Assisi received the stigmata at Monte della Verna. This episode, central in the life of Francis, was depicted several times in art, as illustrated by the exhibition "La Croce che fiorisce e le Stigmate di San Francesco" (The Blooming Cross and the Stigmata of St Francis), which can be visited until 30 March 2025 in the Winter Refectory of the Basilica of Santa Croce.
Paintings, illuminated manuscripts and portable altars, created between the 13th and 14th centuries, allow us to follow the widespread iconography of this subject, starting from the famous panel by the Master of the Cross 434 in the Uffizi (probably the oldest depiction of the theme). This theme was depicted several times by Giotto (also in the Bardi Chapel in Santa Croce) and his disciples, including Taddeo Gaddi, whose portable altar and two panels, from the Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence, part of a monumental piece of furniture originally in the Sacristy of Santa Croce, are on display in the exhibition.
The very strong link between Florence and the Sanctuary of La Verna can also be experienced by following the "Cammino di Francesco" ("Saint Francis Walk"), an immersive itinerary through history, nature, art and spirituality, that starts right from the Basilica of Santa Croce.
