Archaeological site of the ancient basilica of Santa Reparata

Inside the cathedral, between the first and second pillars on the right of the central nave, a stairway descends to the site of the ancient basilica of Santa Reparata, brought to light during an archaeological campaign lasting from 1965 to 1973.

Here, the visitor experiences a journey back in time, through the construction phases of one of the first Christian temples in the history of Florence. The ancient basilica remained standing and was officiated for more than eight centuries, from its founding early in the fifth century to its demolition in 1379, year of completion of the basilica body of the new cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The new church was in fact much larger, and until demolition had contained the old building in the manner of a nesting box. The underground site is dominated by the remains of the early Christian building, itself one of the largest early-medieval churches of the Tuscia region: 50 metres (164 feet) in length and 25 metres (82 feet) wide, in triple-nave basilica plan, adorned with an extraordinary mosaic floor in geometric motifs, with Solomonic knots, vases and the figure of a grand peacock (symbol of eternity and resurrection), flanked by a tablet bearing the names of the financing benefactors.