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Savonarola.
Girolamo Savonrola was born in Italy in 1452. His father wanted him to become a physician but he slipped away from home and joined the Dominican order.

Savonarola was a great speaker and finally became the of or prior of the convent of San Marco, in Florence. He thundered against the sins and vices of the people and the church. He even went so far as to condemn the Pope. When the Medici family was driven out of Florence Savonarola became the dictator of the famous city for three years.

During his term of office Savonarola ruled in Puritanical fashion. The result of outspoken condemnation which he hurled at others, led finally to the death of the monk. He was burned at the stake in the public square of Florence.

In the walls of lodge are two stones. One was picked up near the spot where Savonarola was burned and the other is the piece of the floor of the Convent of San Marco of whic h he was prior. His room in the convent is retained with mementoes of his life. This convent also has the famous frescoes of Fra Angelico da Fiesole some of the most wonderful religious frescoes in the world.

[photo dipicting a a stone building with an adjoining clock tower]

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