Many Italian cities are famous for their incredible historical buildings, legendary constructions and magnificent cathedrals. In Florence, art is part of architecture, and in few places is this seen so clearly as in the Church of Santa Maria Novella, a true Florentine emblem.
In its beginnings and until the middle of medieval times, Florence was a very small city. It certainly did not have the size or cultural importance of Rome, Milan or Naples, but that did not stop more and more people from settling in the place, and starting to make it the most populous metropolis in Tuscany.
That was the case of the Bolonian friars who, arriving in Florence in 1221, began the construction of a small temple, and without knowing it, they took the first steps to create the Santa María Novellla Church.
During centuries, the chapel underwent numerous reforms, in which it was enlarged, redecorated and a new facade was added. Possessing a recognizable Renaissance and Gothic style, the Church of Santa María was completed in 1920.
Today, the basilica is, together with the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Santa Croce Church, the most important, famous and visited religious temple in Florence.
This church stands out for its unconventional façade, as it has a very unique and easily identifiable style, as well as being beautifully decorated.
As for the interior spaces, its design becomes more traditional, and you can see the height of its ceilings and the width of its chambers. Similarly, the Church of Santa María Novella is full of works of art, some so old that they were part of the original decoration.
It is composed of 2 altars, 6 chapels, a bell tower, a sacristy, a refectory, two cloisters and a great variety of beautiful stained glass windows.
Built of marble and brick, it is easy to notice how robust its walls and how resistant its structure is. Its interior houses sculptures, pictures, paintings and frescoes by artists such as Mosaccio, Giotto and Bronzio.
As a curious fact, the Church of Santa María is also home to the oldest working pharmacy in Europe. This bears the same name as the temple, and was inaugurated in 1221.
The church is open every day, and the entrance is paid, commonly the entrance costs 7 euros. In order to enter, you also have to respect some rules, such as not taking photos with flash so as not to damage the frescoes and avoid touching the sculptures or other decorations.
Like many other places in Florence, the influx of visitors to the Church of Santa Maria is high, especially during the summer months. If you don’t want to queue, we recommend going early in the morning or in the late afternoon.
Keep in mind that visiting hours may vary according to the month or the season, being the months of April to September when it remains open for longer.
As for transport, it can be easily reached by bus, so don’t hesitate any longer, and plan your visit to the Church of Santa Maria Novella.
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