BASILICA OF SANTA MARIA NOVELLA
Basilica of Santa Maria Novella |
A network of small streets and wide shopping avenues converges on Piazza Santa Maria Novella, where stands the homonymous imponent Basilica of the late 13th century. The Basilica Santa Maria Novella is the most important Gothic church in Tuscany. It was built in 1246 by Domenican friars on the site of the 10th-century Dominican oratory of S. Maria delle Vigne. The beautiful facade was remodelled between 1456 and 1470 by Leon Battista Alberti who created the splendid portal, bordered by the heraldic sails of the Rucellai family who commissioned the work. The inside of the church, which is simply vast, has a number of important art works by Vasari, Ghirlandaio, Masaccio, Pisano, Brunelleschi and most of the important artists of the period. Its Cloister, the Chiostro Verde, derives its name by the dominant colour of the biblical frescoes by Paolo Uccello (14th century). His workshop on the theme of “Genesis” was badly damaged in the floods of 1966. At least, Uccello’s “Diluvio Universale” was saved from destruction.
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LOGGIA DI SAN PAOLO
Loggia di San Paolo |
On the southern end of the square Piazza Santa Maria Novella rises the Loggia di San Paolo, the entrance to the Ospedale San Paolo dei Convalescenti, something similar to Brunelleschi’s Ospedale degli Innocenti. This Loggia was decorated with terracotta by Giovanni della Robbia.
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CHURCH OF OGNISSANTI
Church of Ognissanti |
From the characteristic lanes of Via de Fossi, that house many interesting shops selling antiques, statues and Florentine products, you will arrive to the Church of Ognissanti that wasfirst erected between 1252 and 1255, and then reconstructed in baroque style in the XVII - XVIII century. The bell-tower only is still original. The façade done by Matteo Nigetti in 1637 is one of the earliest examples of Florentine Baroque. Ognissanti was the church of the merchant family “Vespucci”, whose most famous member was Amerigo: inside the church there is a fresco-painting by Domenico Ghirlandaio showing the whol e Vespucci family. The refectory houses a number of works, including Botticelli's Saint Augustine in his Studio, and Domenico Ghirlandaio's Saint Jerome and one of his Last Suppers.
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PORTA AL PRATO
One of the oldest constructions in Florence is a gate that dates back to 1285: Porta al Prato. During the XVI century, this gate was lowered. It contains a fresco of the Madonna with the Child and Saints ascribed to Michele di Ridolfo. |
AMERICAN CHURCH OF SAINT JAMES
American Church of St James |
Interesting is the American Church of Saint James an Episcopal Church, built in 1910 in the historic gardens of the Orti Oricellari. St. James’ Church serves as an information center and provides facilities for two libraries, Alcoholics Anonymous groups, concerts and various community activities.
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TEATRO COMUNALE
Teatro Comunale |
If you are interested on music, you can’t loose the prestigious “Maggio Musicale Fiorentino” (one of the most important european music festivals) represented in the Teatro Comunale. In Autumn, in this theatre are represented lyrics and ballets; in Winter, symphonic music.
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