Loggiato del Pellegrino

The Loggiato del Pellegrino forms part of the seventeenth-century arcaded south side of Piazza Buondelmonti in Impruneta. Built to shelter pilgrims visiting the sanctuary and traders at the Mercatale, it reflects the religious and commercial life of the town.

Why it matters

The loggia belongs to the redesign of the square that accompanied construction of the basilica's portico. Its original function was to shelter pilgrims and traders who came to Impruneta. The Mercatale, represented in Jacques Callot's engraving around 1620, was part of the square's historic commercial life. The building's successive uses reflect the changing public needs of the town.

What to notice

The facade is divided by a central line of pilasters into two bays, with eight large arches opening onto the piazza and Via delle Fonti. Sandstone guards protect the piers, and the interior retains original stone flags with patched joints. Restoration introduced a freestanding two-level volume within the historic loggia, designed to remain structurally separate from its piers and arches.

Context and history

The twin loggias on the south side of the square date to about 1634, when Gherardo Silvani redesigned this side of the piazza in conjunction with the basilica's portico. Both were built to serve pilgrims and the crowds drawn by the fair. The name Loggiato del Pellegrino recalls its hospitality function; the building was also known as the former Spedale del Pellegrino. During the twentieth century it served several public purposes before falling into disrepair. A restoration completed in 2022 recovered the building and introduced a distinct contemporary structure within the historic fabric.