Maria Novella Art History | Location | Opening Hours Tickets | Authorizations
Art History History | Exterior Nave Sacristy | Choir | Choir Altar Pulpit | F.Strozzi Gaddi Gondi Rucellai | Strozzi Mantua Bardi | Grand Cloister | Spanish Chapel | Green Cloisters Deads
The Basilica and Convents of Santa Maria Novella in Florence
The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella in Florence was built by the Dominicans in 1221 on the site of the church of Santa Maria delle Vigne, which had been consecrated in the 11th century.
The work lasted until 1360, before Vasari's restructuring in 1565.
It is the largest Gothic church in Tuscany today.
A Cistercian Gothic church with a Latin cross plan.
Transept and chapels of Santa Maria Novella Its interior dimensions are indeed impressive: 99.2 metres long and 28.3 metres wide.
Popes and the Council
In 1434, the Venetian Pope Eugene IV, threatened in Rome, took refuge in Florence and lived for nine years in the convent of Santa Maria Novella.
In 1438, in order to unite the churches of Rome and Byzantium, Eugene IV convened a council in Ferrara, which was then moved to Florence and more specifically to Santa Maria Novella.
Choir of Santa Maria Novella The Medici financed the costs of this council, which was attended by the Patriarch of Constantinople, Joseph, and the Byzantine emperor John VIII Palaiologos.
On the Pope's side, more than 700 clergymen, including 30 bishops and... 500 horses, were present in Florence during this council.
The council was a success and the result was officially declared under Brunelleschi's dome in the church of Santa Maria del Fiore.
Renovation in 1565 and Basilica in 1919
Cosimo I de Médicis asked Giorgio Vasari, in the same way as he had done for the basilica of Santa Croce, to restructure the church to adapt it to the rules of the counter-reformation.
The restructuring work lasted from 1565 to 1571.
Giotto's crucifix In 1919, Pope Benedict XV elevated the church of Santa Maria Novella to the rank of minor basilica.
The interior of the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella
When you enter the basilica's large nave, your gaze is immediately drawn to the imposing crucifix hanging in the centre of the nave, created by Giotto in 1290.
The choir is also superb, entirely decorated with frescoes by Domenico Ghirlandaio in 1485.
There are many beautiful chapels in the transept, including the 13th century Rucellai Chapel, the Bardi Chapel, the Filippo Strozzi Chapel, decorated with frescoes by Filippino Lipp in 1489, the Gondi Chapel, the Gaddi Chapel and the Strozzi di Mantova Chapel, decorated with frescoes by Nardio di Cione (1357).
The Cloisters
Frescos of the Great Cloister of Santa Maria Novella
The Green Cloister
The Green Cloister was built by Jacopo Talenti between 1332 and 1355 and features numerous beautiful murals.
The Spanish Chapel
From this cloister you can access the Chapel of the Spaniards, the former chapter house of the convent, which in 1540, at the request of Eleanor of Toledo, became the chapel of the Spaniards of her retinue.
The frescoes by Andrea Buonaiuto are an absolute must-see.
Frescoes of the Chapel of the Spaniards
The Small Cloister of the Dead
Leaving the Chapel of the Spaniards, you come to the small cloister of the dead: impressive and moving!
The walls of this cloister of the dead are covered with carved marble plaques in memory of the dead buried there.
You can also see recent graves, in honour of the dead from many countries who are honoured here.
The Great Cloister
Immense, the largest cloister in Florence, with beautiful frescoes along the walls.
Art History History | Exterior Nave Sacristy | Choir | Choir Altar Pulpit | F.Strozzi Gaddi Gondi Rucellai | Strozzi Mantua Bardi | Grand Cloister | Spanish Chapel | Green Cloisters Deads
Maria Novella Art History | Location | Opening Hours Tickets | Authorizations
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