Pistoia - San Giovanni Fuorcivitas

San Giovanni Fuorcivitas was built outside the sity walls (= Fuorcivitas) during Lombard times. In 1119 Bishop Hildebrand of Pistoia notes down, that the church is "nearly in ruins", so soon after the building process started for the church seen here. The works were finally completed in 1344, when the church got enlarged by two bays.

It may be, that Gruamonte was the first architect here. He may have created the green/white pattern of the wall, typical of other buildings in Pistoia and probably inspired by the buildings in Pisa.

There is an inscription

"GRUAMONS MAGISTER BONUS FEC(IT) HOC OPUS"

~ Gruamons the good master created this work