The order of Silvestrini built this Church at the end of 13th century and then became property of Dominican. Silvestrini had to left the convet because they were accused of being disrespectful of rules. Vasari defined it “the most beautiful convent in Italy”. Two men made the history of San Marco: Giovanni Angelico a monk and an artist, which works are collected in San Marco museum, and Savonarola, which from the pulpit of the Church accused the immorality of the city. The Church, the dome and Sant’Antonio Chapel were planned by Giambologna. (more…)
Europe Archive
San Lorenzo
This church was build in 394 for the will of a noblewoman. The woman was sterile and desired to have a son. She praised San Lorenzo and became fecund. She financed the buildung of the church. The church did not underwent modification but after many years a big fire destroyed it. In 1423 Brunelleschi restored the Church and it became one of the most beautiful Church of Florence. On the portal there is Medici symbol, build by Michelangelo. The building has three aisles divided by Corinthian pilaster. The façade remained undecorated. Chapels are frescoed by the greatest Florentine artists. In Desiderio’s altar there is one of Donatello’s pulpits. In the transept there are the best works: in the left arm of the transept it is Annunciation by Filippo Lippi, in the right-hand pulpit note the Martyrdom of St. Lawrence by Agnolo Bronzino. (more…)
San Miniato
It was built by bishop Ildebrando and with the Battistero of San Giovanni, or Baptistery, is a masterpiece of Florentine Romanesque architecture. It has a bell form and the façade is quite distinctive for the contrast between the white and the green marble it is surmounted by a splendid mosaic. The interior covers three levels, with the presbitery raised above the main level and partly buried crypt; there is a nave and two aisles, once richly frescoed. (more…)
Santa Maria Maddalena dei Pazzi
The Church was founded in 1240 and in 1479 it was enlarged by the basis of Brunelleschi’s project then Giuliano da Sangallo and Arrigucci were appointed to rebuild the complex. (more…)
Santa Maria Maggiore
SS. Annunziata
The Church was founded by the religious order of the Servi di Maria in 1260 as a small oratory. It was enlarged in 1400 when Michelozzo, Portigiani and Manetti built the rectangular nave. Manetti and Leon Battista Alberti altered the large circular tribune built by Michelozzo on the base of Rotonda Santa Maria degli Angeli by Brunelleschi. (more…)
Santo Spirito
It was begun in 1454 by Brunelleschi but after 15 years it was completed destryed by a fire and restoredin 1481. The façade has brown plaster (colour Terra di Siena), the cupola is by Brunelleschi and the steeple by Baccio d’Agnolo. Under the steeple it is an inscription in marble that remember that the Church was built under the power of Cosimo I. (more…)
Santa Croce e la Cappella Pazzi
It is the most famous Church of Florence. It was celebrated by Foscolo in the “Sepolcri” and became the symbol of the city in 1966 when the Crucifix by Cimabue was most severely damaged by the flood of 1966. The Church is in Piazza Santa Croce the widest square of the city, where citizens played Calcio in Costume. Till 1000 in this place there was a little isle on the river Arno, with a little Church where prayed San Francesco. Only at the end of 13th century the running of Arno was changed after the decision of enlarged Florentine walls. This building, traditionally said to have been built by Arnolfo di Cambio, was begun in 1294. It was completed around 1320. The Church was consacrated in 1442 and a century later Vasari made considerable alteration. (more…)
Santa Maria del Carmine
The construction of this Church was begun in 1268 but completed only in 1476, apart from the doorway, the façade has never been decorated. The Church is known especially for the Cappella Brancacci and for Masaccio’s frescoes, considered masterpieces. It was partially devasteted by a fire in 1771 and then rebuilt on the interior, to plans by Giuseppe Ruggieri in 1782. The interior is built to a Latin cross, and has a single nave, with five Chapels on each side. (more…)
Santa Trinita
This is one the oldest Church in Florence; the original Romanesque building was erected in the second half of th 11th century by the order of Vallombrosiani, while current buildung was finished in 1250. The Gothic interior is divided into a nave and two aisles and the apse has a square plan. This Church was the Church of many noble and rich family of Florence. (more…)