Girolamo Savonarola was burnt at the stake

Girolamo Savonarola was burnt at the stake.

The dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola was burnt at the stake in 1498 in Piazza della Signoria. He had dared too much: only a few years earlier in 1496, he set a bonfire to destroy profane books and works of art: even the famous painter Sandro Botticelli destroyed some of his works representing nudes. Savonarola condemned the excess and he preached against luxury and opulence of the church.

The painting below (1498), represents "The Burning of Savonarola in Piazza Signoria" and it is preserved inside the Convent of S Marco. It is very precious because it shows us the original pavement of the square. In the cell of the friar Savonarola's cloak is still displayed here together with a wooden crucifix owned to the friar and the book of his preaching and sermons. 
In the other photo, the standard Savonarola carried in procession and which he kept with him when preaching. The decoration probably dates from the time when the friar first entered the convent.