Chapel of San Michele Arcangelo

The proud and powerful town of Semifonte went too far when the inhabitants sang 'Firenze fatti in là Semifonte si fà città' (Florence move aside, Semifonte is to become a city) under the city walls of Florence. Florence sent two ambassadors to Semifonte to settle the matter but both were killed and their bodies hung on the door of the city. In 1229 Florence sent their troops to Semifonte with the order to destroy it. The whole population was massacred and buried in common graves, the city was reduced to ruins. After destroying the town, Florence forebade that it be rebuilt again. Over 300 years later, Giovan Battista Capponi petitioned Ferdinando I to build an oratory on the ancient site despite the law.

San Michele Arcangelo is a perfect imitation of Brunelleschi’s dome of Sant Maria del Fiore in Florence but one-fifth its size. The architect was Santi di Tito.

According to legend, the town of Barberino Val d'Elsa was built using the stones from Semifonte.