San Michele Visdomini

In 1368 the old church of San Michele stood in the way of Florence Cathedral, whose east end was being laid out on a larger plan. It was pulled down and rebuilt a short walk to the north, on what is now Via dei Servi. Its second name comes from the vicedomini, officials who managed the bishop's affairs. Late in the 16th century the architect Bartolomeo Ammannati, known for Florence's Neptune fountain, reworked the building.

Visitors come for one painting. In the Pucci family chapel hangs the altarpiece Jacopo Pontormo painted in 1518, when he was in his early twenties. It was paid for by Francesco Pucci, a Medici supporter who served as Gonfaloniere of Justice, the city's leading magistrate. Pontormo wrote the date in the book held by Saint John the Evangelist, and gave the Christ Child to Saint Joseph to hold, a role usually reserved for the Madonna. Around them press Saint Francis, the patron's namesake, Saint James and the infant John the Baptist, in a crowded, twisting group.

It is one of the very few altarpieces by Pontormo still in the church it was made for.