The Cathedral of San Romolo sits on the north side of Piazza Mino and has dominated the square since the 11th century. Its Romanesque exterior is plain and powerful — rough pietra serena stonework with none of the decorative ambition of Florence's later churches. The bell tower was added in the 14th century and is now one of Fiesole's landmarks.
Inside, the nave is simple and cool. The most rewarding part of a visit is the crypt, which holds the remains of San Romolo, the patron saint of Fiesole, along with several early Christian sarcophagi of unusual quality. The Salutati Chapel, off the right nave, contains a painted terracotta bust of Bishop Leonardo Salutati by Mino da Fiesole, one of the finest pieces of 15th-century sculpture in the building. Admission is free; the crypt door is usually open during the day.