The origins of the Orsanmichele church go back to the 8th century, when the Lombards (a Germanic people) ruled parts of Italy. A chapel in honour of San Michele was erected on this site but it was demolished in 1239. Half a century later, around 1290, Arnolfo Di Cambio built a loggia for the sale of grain. Miracles attributed to an image of Virgin Mary painted on a column transformed the site into a place of devotion until a fire destroyed the loggia.