ART, FAITH AND THE HISTORY OF THE CITY
Florence’s churches: art, faith and history
Florence’s churches are far more than places of worship. They preserve architecture, paintings, sculpture, civic memories and masterpieces that reveal the city’s deepest identity.
From the Cathedral to the great basilicas, and from the churches of the Oltrarno to lesser-known religious complexes, each building reveals the relationship between spirituality, patronage and artistic creation.
THE MONUMENTAL HEART OF FLORENCE
The Cathedral and the great basilicas
Santa Maria del Fiore, crowned by Brunelleschi’s dome, is the monumental heart of Florence. Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella and San Lorenzo preserve works of art, tombs and essential evidence of the Florentine Middle Ages and Renaissance.
BEYOND THE ARNO
The churches of the Oltrarno
South of the Arno, Santo Spirito expresses the harmony of Brunelleschi’s architecture and houses the wooden crucifix attributed to the young Michelangelo. In Santa Maria del Carmine, the Brancacci Chapel brings together frescoes by Masolino, Masaccio and Filippino Lippi.
A LESSER-KNOWN FLORENCE
Places not to miss
Santissima Annunziata, the Badia Fiorentina, Santa Trinita, San Marco and San Miniato al Monte reveal religious orders, devotional traditions, artists and lesser-known events that are essential to understanding Florence.
Explore Florence’s churches and basilicas
Choose a church to discover its history, principal works of art and practical information for your visit.
Explore Florence’s churches with a licensed guide
Florence’s churches are places of worship, but also extraordinary museums spread throughout the city. Write to me to create an itinerary devoted to the basilicas, religious orders, great artists or historic neighbourhoods of Florence. For a private itinerary tailored to your interests, see how I organise tours as a private guide in Florence. To discover museum, walking and family itineraries as well, explore my guided tours in Florence.
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