Un testamento del 1279 come fonte per la storia dell’architettura. Beatrice degli Alberti di Capraia e l’inizio dei grandi cantieri fiorentini di fine Duecento (Santa Maria Novella, Badia a Settimo, Santa Croce)

Abstract

The will of Countess Beatrice degli Alberti di Capraia (1279) offers itself as an important documentary source for the history of
architecture. Already well known as an incunabulum of the vernacular, it contains numerous donations to religious bodies; donations
are clearly distinguished between those offered to communities, individuals, institutions and buildings, to be expanded
or to be restored. It includes main Florentine building sites-Santa Maria Novella, Santa Croce, Badia a Settimo-whose early
stages are usually bound by critics to symbolic laying of the foundation stone. Recent stylistic and archaeological reinterpretations
of the construction sites find confirmation in the words of the noblewoman, which suggest slight but significant backdating.

Keywords : Testament, Beatrice da Capraia, gothic architecture, Florence, 13th century.