A city and diocese in the Province of Florence, Central Italy.
It is first mentioned in the eighth century as a "vicus
Wallari", where there was an oratory of S. Miniato, the
celebrated martyr St. Mennas. From the eleventh century the
inhabitants of this town were frequently at war with those of S.
Genesio, a neighbouring city, where many councils and assemblies
of the nobles and cities of Tuscany were held (1074, Council of
S. Peter Igneus; 1197, Treaty of S. Genesio between Celestine
III and the Tuscan cities). The inhabitants of San Miniato were
of the imperial party and the town was frequently occupied by
German soldiers; the emperors granted them many privileges. In
1248 S. Genesio was completely destroyed. In 1397 the town was
taken by Florence. From 1248 the chapter was transferred from S.
Genesio to S. Miniato, and in 1526 the head of the chapter
obtained the episcopal dignity. In 1408 the Republic of Florence
wished to have it made an episcopal see, being then a suffragan
of Lucca. Finally in 1622 it