The Byzantine and Carolingian Ages

This period of “rebirth” is followed by one of decadence during which not only do Santa Reparata and the Baptistery not grow – the former indeed suffering partial demolitions – they are left outside the new circle of walls that the Byzantine garrison had erected south of the Roman walls in order to defend Florentia from Gothic incursions.

The Byzantine occupation between 552 and 568 already recorded a certain paralysis. It was during the two centuries of Lombard domination, however, that the city lived the darkest period of its history. Life in the city began to reflourish in the Carolingian epoch thanks to the union of the territories of Fiesole and Florence in 854, and also thanks to the decree of Germanic emperor Lotharius that instituted one of the eight major schools in Florence to prepare young people for the ecclesiastic career. San Giovanni also lived a very close rapport with the Bishop’s Palace which, until 1894, was close to the structure. Also called the house of San Giovanni, this old building’s central nucleus dated back to the VIII century and was the site of the principal events of public life in Florence. All of this communicates the unitary nature of the area; a “dignity marked” by an invisible but vibrant underlying theme that joined Santa Reparata, the Baptistery and the Bishop’s Palace.