Orsanmichele - A Chapel for Florence's Powerful Craft and Trade Guilds: In its former life, Orsanmichele was a grain market (Loggia de Mercato del Grano) on the main road that linked Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Signoria. Commissioned by the Signoria, the building was converted into a church and used as the chapel for Florence's powerful craft and trade guilds.  The Signoria was the government of medieval and renaissance Florence and its nine members were drawn from the ranks of … [Read more...]