This small but significant place of worship owes its name to an ancient legend linked to the figure of St. John Gualbert, where in 1050, during the visit of Pope Leo X who chose to stay at the Vallombrosian monastery of Badia a Passignano, the miracle of the fish occurred.
Another folklore story has it that the spring that flowed where the chapel stands was miraculous, able to cure the sick, even the terminally ill. One of these, Don Jacopo Mindria da Bibbiena, witnessed his own healing and, to express his gratitude, commissioned the construction of the Fish Chapel in 1510.
Circular in plan, the chapel features a dome covered with characteristic bricks arranged in fish scales, echoing the name.
One of the emblematic places of Badia a Passignano's historical-religious heritage associated with St. John Gualbert, its history, cultural significance and architectural beauty make it a must-see destination for those who visit Badia a Passignano and wish to discover the off-route treasures of Tuscany.
